This year, there have been some nice trends in the best outdoor Bluetooth speakers: 鈥淭rue stereo,鈥� which lets you pair two speakers at once and play the left channel in one and the right in the other, is available in more and more models. While it may be a clever way of selling you two speakers instead of one, it makes the experience more like sitting in front of your home hi-fi system. Meanwhile, battery life keeps on improving across the board, and it鈥檚 kind of stunning how water-resistant these devices have become: All of the speakers below have an ingress rating of at least IP57, which means they can be submerged in three feet of water for up to 30 minutes. If you鈥檝e ever combined a swimming hole and a large dog in the same outing, you know why this matters. All of which makes the new speakers highlighted here some of the best ever for your adventures.听Here are reviews of seven of our current favorite outdoor Bluetooth speakers, depending on your needs and budget.

Update July 2025: We鈥檝e tested and selected new Bluetooth speakers in two of our seven categories, including a new best all-around pick of the Brane X, and updated prices and availability for all.

At a Glance

• Best Overall:听
• Best Value:听
• Most Portable:听
• Most Rugged:听
• Best for Audiophiles:听
• Best for Parties:听
• Best for Travel:
• How to Choose
• How We Test
• Meet Our Lead Tester

Best Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker Overall

Brane X

Pros and Cons
鈯�听More bass than you鈥檒l believe possible
鈯�听Wi-Fi connectivity
鈯�听Makes funny noises on startup
鈯�听Touch controls are overly sensitive

It鈥檚 rare that a product has so much crossover appeal that it鈥檚 nearly impossible to categorize鈥攍abels be damned. The Brane X is an ingenious piece of technology that transitions neatly from a bookshelf-style speaker for your desktop to a backyard DJ boom box to a travel companion for a remote lakeshore, where, as one tester said, it produces bass that can 鈥渟care away the bears.鈥� This versatility and its surprising power are what led our testers to name it the best outdoor Bluetooth speaker we tested.

The reason this 7.7-pound unit has such outsize power is magnets. Specifically, it鈥檚 the first Bluetooth speaker with a subwoofer, which relies on a Repel-Attract Driver (RAD), a patented technology that employs specially designed magnets that cancel internal air pressure and allow it to produce deeper bass than was previously possible.

In practice, the results are impressive: Played at lower volumes, it produces fine detail that is as good as anything that comes out of a Bose product. But when you pump up the volume, you can hear bass notes that reach lower into the audio spectrum. It鈥檚 safe to say nothing we鈥檝e seen at this size (under ten inches wide) has been able to create such a rumble way down deep in your belly.

The Brane X can connect with your home Wi-Fi, eliminating the problem of your Bluetooth speaker glitching out during a party because you stepped outside to fetch ice. This feature also makes streaming music over a subscription service or using the built-in Alexa voice assistant easier and more reliable.

And yes, despite its urban looks, the Brane X can withstand water, dust, and a fair bit of rough handling: Its IP57 rating means it can survive in three feet of water for up to 30 minutes. A 12-hour battery life is respectable, given its power. And the Brane app makes it easy to set up and equalize, for less bass, more bass, or more more more bass. Listening to jazz with a double bass, one user said, 鈥測ou can hear all the subtle squeaks of the player鈥檚 fingers on the strings.鈥�

If there鈥檚 a drawback to a speaker this good, it would only be that it makes the windows rattle. Said one tester: 鈥淚t makes other portable speakers seem like toys.鈥�

Best Value

Fender x Teufel Rockster Go 2

Pros and Cons
鈯�听Sound fills the room
鈯�听Long battery life
鈯�听Controls not all in same place

The German audio engineers at Teuful got together with the American guitar and amp brand Fender to make this thing of beauty. The sleekly designed Rockster Go 2 is smaller than a hardcover airport novel, at eight by four inches, but it pumps out some of the best, bassiest sound in this size range. Much like Bose鈥檚听鈥攚hose latest version weighs in at 1.3 pounds and costs $149鈥攖he 1.6-pound Rockster Go 2 amazed us with its 鈥渟traight-ahead sound quality and musical vividness,鈥� as one tester put it. It goes one step further than Bose with a button that engages what鈥檚 called Dynamore virtual stereo sound, an impressive, non-gimmicky feature that seems to magically move the music to the corners of the room. The speaker is unidirectional, but the Dynamore feature does a lot to make it sound good from the front or the back.

The Rockster Go 2 is supposed to last for up to a whopping 28 hours in Eco Mode (which reduces the bass), though you鈥檒l probably get more like the 15 hours it promises in regular mode at medium volume. Quick charging, however, gets you out the door faster if you forgot to plug it in the night before. A short carry strap enables easier toting, and GoPro users will appreciate the quarter-inch threading on the base, which is compatible with camera mounts. Although its range is only 30 feet, one reviewer remarked that 鈥渨ith a design that鈥檚 worthy of residing on your bookcase plus its rugged build, this may be the ideal indoor/outdoor speaker in the midsize range.鈥�

Note: The Rockster line includes two other, larger sizes: the $180听听and the monster $480听.

Most Portable

Ultimate Ears Miniroll

听

Pros and Cons
鈯�听Very compact
鈯�听Impressive sound for its size
鈯�听Bungee strap is useful
鈯�听Can get only so loud

Over the past decade, the 鈥渕ini speaker鈥� category has been relentlessly trying to reach a level of sonic quality that sounds so much better than your laptop speaker that it warrants a purchase. With the Miniroll, we may have achieved the singularity. At less than 10 ounces and a fits-in-your-hand five-inch diameter, this grab-and-go disc produced some moments of startling loudness for its size. Physics wouldn鈥檛 allow it to be in the same acoustic class as the others in this test, but testers were impressed by what it can do.

Think of the places it can go: With its eminently handy built-in rubber strap, the Miniroll can bungee right over your bike handlebars, onto your belt loop, or鈥攁 habit I鈥檝e acquired solely on account of this portable Bluetooth speaker鈥攐ver the shower curtain rod, so I can keep clean while keeping up with the news. As secure as the strap is, a bouncy bike ride might eventually dislodge it, but with its sturdy build, we wouldn鈥檛 be too concerned about damage鈥攁nd its crazy-long range of 131 feet means you won鈥檛 lose connection when you turn around to retrieve it. A PartyUp feature lets you pair multiple Minirolls together for more power or a stereo effect.

Anyone debating whether to pack a speaker for an overseas flight or strap it to a backpack for playing podcasts on a hike can be confident that the Miniroll, with its 鈥渞oad-friendly size and shape,鈥� is well worth the consideration.

Most Rugged

Turtlebox Gen 3

Pros and Cons
鈯�听Extremely tough
鈯�听Easy to tote
鈯�听Smooth sound
鈯�听Not cheap

Like Pelican and Otter, Turtlebox thinks in terms of durability that will see you through any terrain on earth, if not other planets. Case in point: The company claims that they were able to park a six-ton monster truck on this speaker, to no ill effect. Encased in super-hard plastic and completely waterproof (even floatable), the Gen 2 has quickly garnered a following among fishermen and watersports enthusiasts for more than being tough. The 120-decibel speaker is 鈥渂oth incredibly loud and impressively refined,鈥� one tester observed. Indeed, our team was hard-pressed to find many differences in audio quality between the Turtlebox 2 and the other top scorers in this year鈥檚 test. The unit plays for 25 hours at lower volumes and about six hours at max volume, such as what you鈥檇 need for a big party.

During LCD Soundsystem鈥檚 鈥淭ribulations,鈥� the bass tones flowed smooth as silk and distortion-free, thanks to the 6-by-9-inch woofer, and, to our surprise, the high and midrange sounds also came across with great clarity. With five color options and an ideal form factor鈥攁 lunchbox-size 9.5-pound boombox with a hard nylon handle coated in rubber, plus rubber bumpers on the undercarriage鈥攖he Turtlebox Gen 2 gets just about everything right, and its fairly high price tag is less scary when you consider its durability.

Best for Audiophiles

Bose SoundLink Max

Pros and Cons
鈯�听Very rich, loud sound
鈯�听Long battery life
鈯�听Easy to pair
鈯�听Needs 5-volt charger; standard USB-C is slow

For those who were wowed by Bose鈥檚 1.3-pound SoundLink Flex (our 2022听Editor鈥檚 Choice winner), this larger and far more powerful 4.9-pound edition of the SoundLink will be true love. It punches above its weight, with rich bass and perfect balance in the higher registers. While the addition of a rubber-coated rope handle is both convenient and cute, the sticking-to-basics features from this classic brand made it a bit less fun than other party-ready units in this test. Where Bose beats them, though, is with more subtle orchestral and ambient tracks. Max Richter鈥檚听The New Four Seasons听came through with a dynamism and presence that was a notch above.

Battery life is 20 hours, range is a passable 30 feet, and Bose鈥檚 app is more versatile than those that accompany most speakers, with EQ settings to suit your tastes and listening environment. IP67 water and dust resistance means it鈥檚 fine being dropped in the pool for up to 30 minutes. The SoundLink Max does cost a lot for its size, but for those among us who like to just sit and focus on great music, it may be the most ideal鈥攁nd ideally sized鈥攑ortable Bluetooth speaker to date.

Best for Parties

Treblab HD-Max

Pros and Cons
鈯�听Loud volume when wanted
鈯�听Great value
鈯�听One-dimensional sound
鈯�听Confusing LED modes

If you鈥檙e looking for a speaker to churn out volume in a big crowd for a fair price, the HD-Max delivers. The sound is not as detailed or three-dimensional as the others in this guide, but that matters less when it鈥檚 about a crowd and, as the evening wears on, they鈥檙e getting down and boogying. Treblab鈥檚 newest offering has the power to fill a sizable outdoor space, and if you want to go a notch higher, a bass-boosting feature adds even more thump. 鈥淚t makes you feel like dancing,鈥� said one reviewer.

Two other fiesta-friendly novelties are a pair of multicolor lights on either end that can be turned off and on, and a bottle opener on the removable carry strap. It鈥檒l get 20 hours of play time if you keep it at 10 percent volume, but at 100 percent it鈥檚 certified for only 6.5 hours鈥攕till, enough to get you through the night, or, if not, you can always plug it in. (And the power goes both ways: If your phone is running out of juice, the HD-Max can charge it.) One thing that could use improvement: It鈥檚 hard to tell when you鈥檙e in indoor, outdoor, or bass mode; they鈥檙e indicated by a clunky system that involves deciphering a series of blinking LED lights.

These are small trade-offs when you consider that the HD-Max is a tough-built five-pound, foot-wide boom box that retails for $200鈥攂ut can be found for 30 percent less than that. Others in its class, like Ultimate Ears鈥櫶�, usually set you back $350 or $400. When the fun is over and it鈥檚 back-to-work time, the speaker has a built-in mic that performs well for conference calls, with an average range of 33 feet. One tester praised the HD-Max for its 鈥渃ombination of sound quality, volume, and portability.鈥�

Best for Travel

Marshall Emberton III

Pros and Cons
鈯�听Solid, compact, travel-friendly build
鈯�听Room-filling sound
鈯�听No bass/treble controls on unit

Don鈥檛 let the throwback looks of the Emberton III fool you: This technology is far from basic. Marshall鈥檚 newest travel Bluetooth speaker has better, more robust sound than its predecessors while adding some new features like Bluetooth LE鈥攁 more efficient form of Bluetooth that sucks less energy鈥攁nd Auracast, an incoming technology that will soon have you wirelessly linking several of your speakers and headphones at once, making a connected life more seamless.

The Emberton III is that one piece of gear you鈥檒l wish you鈥檇 packed for your family reunion on the lake this summer. You鈥檒l realize this when you go to play home movies on your tablet with its anemic speaker. You鈥檒l hardly notice the Emberton III in your luggage, at a little over six inches from end to end and only 1.5 pounds鈥攖hree percent of your checked-bag limit. But you鈥檒l notice it when you fire it up, because, in the words of one tester, 鈥渢his little thing cranks!鈥�

As with other Marshall speakers, the Emberton III achieves a deceptively dynamic sound quality through 鈥淭rue Stereophonic鈥� multi-directional technology, which replicates the experience of being on a soundstage by moving different tones to different areas of the speaker. One tester noticed the 鈥渞ich bass notes鈥攏ot much thump, but clean and clear.鈥� And the well-rounded sound is just as good from the back side as the front.

A whopping 32-hour battery life makes it even more travel-friendly, and a 20-minute quick charge provides six more hours of battery life. The range (thanks to the Bluetooth LE addition) is an excellent 100 feet. And an IP67 rating lets you drop it in the drink (up to three feet deep) with no repercussions (although no testers reported trying this).

One tester summed up his report, 鈥淚 love the retro looks and small package. It makes a cool statement on the shelf but is small enough you can slip it into your pocket on the way out the door.鈥�

How to Choose the Best Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker

When shopping for a new outdoor Bluetooth speaker, your first move is to check its听听to get an idea of how much water and dust resistance it offers; these are typically reliable. Next, think about how much you鈥檒l be carrying it around鈥攂etween house and backyard, say, or moving from campsite to campsite鈥攁nd whether you鈥檒l be on foot (carrying a pack or duffel, or not) or on wheels. Then consider what makes sense in terms of weight and dimensions. As a general rule, the heavier a speaker is, the more volume you鈥檒l get out of it, but playing it loud isn鈥檛 always a necessity鈥攕ome of you will be entertaining large groups, but others will just be setting it up for mellow creekside cocktail-hour listening with your partner.

If you鈥檙e someone who moves around a lot, a portable Bluetooth speaker with long battery life might also make a difference. These days most new models will play for a good 10 hours or more even at high volume, but some are longer-lasting than others, as detailed in the models reviewed here. Finally, more and more models offer 鈥渢rue stereo鈥� linking, where two or more speakers can be paired to play at once but in stereo; this makes smaller models with this option a little more attractive than before, because if you later decide to invest more, you can give your soundscape an appreciable boost.

Finally, don鈥檛 assume that if one of the speakers in this list doesn鈥檛 sound great to you, it鈥檚 your fault. Different folks have different tastes, and some types of music sound better鈥攐r worse鈥攐n certain speakers. If you make a purchase and are feeling lukewarm afterwards, keep an eye on your return window and don鈥檛 feel guilty if you have to exchange it.

How We Tested Outdoor Bluetooth Speakers

• Hours of Testing:听419
• Test Environments:听Hiking, pool parties, stand-up paddleboarding, yardwork, movie watching, car camping, making dinner, conference calls
• Highest Elevation:听10,152 feet, Leadville, Colorado
• Lowest Elevation:听5 feet underwater in Lake Pleasant, Arizona
• Most Listened-To Tracks:听Bon Iver: 鈥淒ijon,鈥� Charli xcx featuring BB Tricks: 鈥淐lub Classics,鈥� Childish Gambino: 鈥淟ithonia,鈥� Drugdealer and Kim Bollinger: 鈥淧ictures of You,鈥� Flock of Dimes: 鈥淒ay One,鈥� Fontaines D.C.: 鈥淔avourite,鈥� J Dilla: 鈥淲orkinonit,鈥� Kenya Grace: 鈥淪trangers,鈥� The Hold Steady: 鈥淪tuck Between Stations,鈥� Magdalena Bay: 鈥淚mage,鈥� Prince: 鈥淓lectric Chair,鈥� Puentes: 鈥淎mor y Unidad,鈥� Kathleen Smith: 鈥淚 Can See for Miles,鈥� Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross: 鈥淐hallengers鈥�

The first thing we do with any Bluetooth speakers is attempt to pair them with our phones without consulting the user manual: The quicker, more intuitive, and easier the sync, the more points scored. Then we put them through hours of testing doing the kinds of things听国产吃瓜黑料听readers do鈥攕oaking in remote hot springs, inviting friends over for outdoor dance parties, playing audiobooks while riding a bike, etc.

Our team turns in reports on each product tested, providing a score of 1 to 10 for five different measures: sound quality, pairing and connectivity, fit and comfort, rain and drop protection, and user friendliness. Scores are averaged, with more weight given to sound quality and (knowing our audience) how well they stand up to the elements. Note: Battery life estimates in these reviews are based on manufacturer specs; it鈥檚 difficult to confirm those numbers, given the time involved and variances among user habits (different volumes, different uses, different functions enabled). Actual results may be 10 to 20 percent lower, judging from averages experienced in general testing.

Meet Our Lead Tester

Will Palmer has been testing gear for 21 years for 国产吃瓜黑料, where he was managing editor and copy chief for nine years. Based in Santa Fe, he has been a runner since 1984, and while the mile counts have decreased over the years, he鈥檚 kept motivated to head out the door on the hottest, coldest, and wettest days by the opportunity to test the best new products鈥攁nd to commune with the junipers and pi帽ons.

The post The 7 Best Outdoor Bluetooth Speakers of 2025 appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Finding the right pair of road running shoes can invigorate鈥攐r reinvigorate鈥攁nyone鈥檚 relationship with running. Shoe technology is constantly evolving. With lighter weight, springier midsole foams, comfort-enhancing upper materials, novel shapes that add stability, and embedded plates for increased efficiency, there are more great shoes on the market than ever to meet the demands of an incredibly wide range of runners.

The multitude of choices, however, can lead to decision paralysis. To help you find the best running shoe for your specific needs, we鈥檝e tested more than 100 pairs of new and updated models with a diverse team of over 20 testers. Whatever your current goals may be鈥攍earn to love running or best your marathon PR鈥攐ur guide is here to help.

Updated July 2025: We鈥檝e tested and selected new models in four out of 14 categories, naming new shoes for Best Lightweight Trainer, Best for Recovery Runs, Best Natural Ride, and Best All-around Stability Shoe鈥攁nd updated prices and availability for all the shoes in the guide.

At a Glance

Training Shoes

• Best All-Around: Asics Novablast 5 ($140)
• Best Cushioned Trainer: Nike Vomero 18 ($150)
• Best Distance Trainer: Brooks Glycerin Max ($165)
• Best Value: Brooks Launch 11 ($120)
• Best Lightweight Trainer: Adidas Adizero Evo SL ($150)
• Best Super Trainer: Nike Zoom Fly 6 ($170)
• Best for Recovery Runs: Hoka Bondi 9 ($175)
• Best Natural Ride: Topo Athletic Cyclone 3 ($155)

Stability Shoes

• Best All-Around: Asics GEL-Kayano 32 ($165)
• Best Plush Stability: Puma ForeverRun Nitro 2 ($150)
• Best Lightweight Stability: Brooks Hyperion GTS 2 ($140)

Racing Shoes

• Best Marathon Racer: Nike Alphafly 3 ($285)
• Runner-Up Marathon Racer: Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 ($275)
• Best For Shorter Road Races: Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 ($250)

Trail Running Shoes

Tips and How We Test

• How to Choose a Road Running Shoe
• How We Test
• Meet Our Lead Testers

Best Training Shoes

Best All-Around

Asics Novablast 5

Weight: 9 oz (men), 7.9 oz (women)
Stack Height: 41.5鈥�33.5 mm (men鈥檚); 40.5鈥�32.5 mm (women鈥檚)
Drop: 8 mm
Sizing: 6-13, 14, 15 (men鈥檚), 5-12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Great weight-to-cushioning ratio
鈯� Smooth ride
鈯� Poor outsole grip in slick conditions

Versatile, cushioned, and responsive, few shoes check as many boxes as the ASICS Novablast 5. Underfoot, ASICS upgraded the midsole to FF Blast Max, a polyolefin-based compound that鈥檚 a touch softer and bouncier than its predecessor. Testers praised it for its 鈥減lush experience鈥� and 鈥渓ively and energetic feel underfoot.鈥� The shoe delivers a buttery smooth ride with a noticeable poppy feeling most everyday trainers lack. Despite the thick stack of foam underfoot, the Novablast 5 remains surprisingly nimble for an everyday trainer. While it鈥檚 not our first choice for dedicated speedwork, it handles uptempo efforts better than any other daily trainer we tested. The ride is also surprisingly stable thanks to the wide base and the responsiveness of the foam, which saves it from feeling squishy.

The fit, which is true to size, remains largely unchanged from the Novablast 4. Testers appreciated the new stitch-free engineered jacquard mesh upper, noting it felt a touch softer, improving overall comfort. Straight out of the box, the Novablast 5 felt run-ready with no break-in required.

One area that could be improved is the outsole. In an effort to keep the weight down, ASICS skimped on the rubber. This didn鈥檛 affect traction on dry surfaces, but one tester noted that he lacked confidence in the shoe during cold and wet runs. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not slick, but it doesn鈥檛 grip,鈥� he said.

We rarely suggest one shoe that would work for every runner, but the ASICS Novablast 5 is a standout that just about anyone would appreciate for almost any type of run.

Best Cushioned Trainer

Nike Vomero 18

Weight: 11.5 oz (men), 9.3 oz (women)
Stack Height: 46鈥�36 mm
Drop: 10 mm
Sizing: 6-13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 (men鈥檚), 5-12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Outstanding stability for such a tall shoe
鈯� Extremely comfortable
鈯� Heavy, slow

When it comes to adding volume to running shoe midsoles, more isn鈥檛 always better. Sometimes more is just more. That鈥檚 not the case with the Vomero 18. With an added six millimeters of foam underfoot, everything about this shoe exudes comfort. Holding the title as Nike鈥檚 most thickly cushioned running shoe to date, the Vomero 18 features a dual-density midsole that pairs a new version of Nike React X鈥攚hich Nike claims has 13 percent more energy return鈥攚ith a new, TPE-based ZoomX foam. React X, the firmer, more durable layer, delivers structure and support on the bottom, while the softer, more responsive ZoomX sits on top for a bouncier ride. The pairing delivered a smooth, cushioned ride that testers found both plush and surprisingly stable for such a high-stack shoe.

Nike didn鈥檛 just add more cushioning underfoot鈥攖he revamped engineered mesh upper also receives a healthy dose of padding for all-day comfort. The downside to all this plushness is that the Vomero 18 tipped the scales at 11.5 ounces for men and 9.2 ounces for women, making it the heaviest shoe we tested. While they are well balanced and don鈥檛 feel like weights on your feet, testers did note the shoe is best suited for everyday, easy, comfortable runs.

Best Distance Trainer

Brooks Glycerin Max

Weight: 10.5 oz (men), 9.5 oz (women)
Stack Height: 45鈥�39 mm
Drop: 6 mm
Sizing: 7-13, 14, 15 (men鈥檚), 5-12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Tuned midsole is both soft and responsive
鈯� Wide platform keeps tall midsole stable
鈯� Feels somewhat bulky

The Brooks Glycerin has long been Brooks鈥� premium highly cushioned everyday trainer. However, with stack heights increasing across the industry, its 38mm/28mm profile no longer stands out as a true max-cushioned option for long-distance running. Enter the Glycerin Max, which is Brooks鈥� highest-stacked shoe to date but manages to not feel overly tall.

Brooks鈥� new DNA Tuned midsole starts with its familiar nitrogen-infused EVA-based compound, but instead of being a consistent density throughout, the foam has different-sized cell structures in different locations, making it softer on the outside of the heel and firmer and more responsive on the inside of the heel and throughout the forefoot. 鈥淭he result is a high-cushion shoe that I found doesn鈥檛 wallow and allows the foot to engage as it rolls through the stride, making it a shoe that I, usually a max-shoe hater, wanted to wear more,鈥� noted one tester.

Raised sidewalls and a noticeably wide base aid in creating a stable stance for such a tall shoe. To enhance a smooth roll from an otherwise inflexible sole, a rockered forefoot encourages a natural forward transition, helping maintain momentum with each stride. A rather simple engineered mesh upper, consistent with other Brooks models, provides a true-to-size fit that complements the shoe鈥檚 plush underfoot feel. All in all, the Glycerin Max coddled our feet while rolling smoothly through the miles, making us want to keep going no matter how far from home we wandered.

Best Value

Brooks Launch 11

Weight: 7.7 oz (men), 7.1 oz (women)
Stack height: 35.5鈥�27.5 mm
Drop: 8 mm
Sizing: 7-15 (men鈥檚), 5-12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� A lot of bang for the buck
鈯� Foot-following fit and ride
鈯� Versatile
鈯� Narrow for some

It is not easy to find a good running shoe for less than 125 bucks these days, but the Brooks Launch 11 is an exception. The Launch 11 may not offer massive cushion or a carbon or nylon plate, but we kind of love that about it. Instead of the trampoline-like ride of so many other shoes on the market right now, the Launch 11 provides a classic, almost old-school vibe by allowing groundfeel while still offering a little bouncy rebound. Paired with an upper that conforms around and moves with your feet, plus looks great, we think this shoe gives a range of runners great bang for their buck.

With this update to the Launch, Brooks added 1.5 millimeters more lightweight, responsive cushioning (Brooks nitrogen-infused DNA Flash foam) under the heel and 2.5 millimeters more under the forefoot, with an insert of even lighter and springier DNA Flash 2. This gives the Launch 11 a higher stack height but a lower heel-toe offset (eight millimeters instead of 10) than the Launch 10. We found this update super comfortable and more than capable for everything from daily miles at a cruisy pace to shorter, faster efforts, and even allowed us to dance nimbly over tame trails. One tester noted that this shoe feels 鈥渓ight and springy and propels you forward,鈥� while another called it 鈥渄ownright snappy.鈥� Another tester gave the $120 Launch 11 a score of 10 out of 10, raving that it has 鈥渙ne of the best sneaker fits so far鈥� for her narrow foot, with 鈥渁ll the bells and whistles needed.鈥� Some other testers, however, found the fit too narrow.

Best Lightweight Trainer

Adidas Adizero EVO SL

Weight: 7.9 oz (men), 6.6 oz (women)
Stack Height: 39-32 mm (men鈥檚), 36-30 mm (women鈥檚)
Drop: 7 mm (men’s), 6 mm (women’s)
Sizing: 6.5鈥�15 (men鈥檚), 5-12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Smooth at any pace
鈯� Excellent balance between cushioning and responsiveness
鈯� Lightweight and nimble
鈯� Toe box can feel wide
鈯� Thin laces can be hard to tie

A great lightweight trainer is the ideal one-shoe quiver: nimble enough for speed workouts yet providing enough cushioning and support for daily mileage. Of all the shoes we tested, the Adidas Evo SL nailed this versatility better than any other. 鈥淚t strikes a nice balance between cushioning and responsiveness,鈥� said one tester.

At the core of the Evo SL鈥檚 excellence is a thick slab of Adidas鈥� gas-infused TPEE foam called Lightstrike Pro, the same high-energy midsole used in their flagship racing shoe, the Adios Pro 3. Testers described the foam as soft but not squishy, with a lively, more responsive feel. Regardless of pace, the Evo SL鈥檚 ride is buttery smooth, with a gentle, flexible forefoot rocker that is absent of Energy Rods鈥擜didas鈥檚 version of a carbon-fiber propulsion plate鈥� making it more versatile for different strides. 鈥淭he shoe rolls really well and does a great job returning energy and propelling me forward,鈥� said a tester.

The clean-looking mesh upper, accentuated by oversized versions of Adidas鈥� signature three stripes, offers a surprising level of structure for such a lightweight shoe, especially through the heel, and provides excellent lockdown through the midfoot. A few testers, however, noted that the toebox felt slightly wide.

Still, the Evo SL delivers great performance at a price that鈥檚 hard to beat. 鈥淕reat for fast days without breaking the bank,鈥� summed up one tester.

Best Super Trainer

Nike Zoom Fly 6

Weight: 9.3 oz (men), 7.7 oz (women)
Stack height: 40鈥�32 mm
Drop: 8 mm
Sizing: 6-15 (men鈥檚), 5-12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Works for a variety of runners
鈯� Performs at a variety of paces
鈯� Can feel funky when heel striking

By definition, supertrainers combine racing technology with more durable elements. The Zoom Fly 6 borrows ZoomX, Nike鈥檚 premium Pebax midsole foam, from the lauded Vaporfly super shoe racer. But while the Vaporfly 3 (and Alphafly 3) are solely built with ZoomX cushioning, the Zoom Fly 6 adds a bottom layer of more stable and durable EVA foam, making it a daily trainer built to last day in and day out. The Zoom Fly 6 also has a wider profile to feel less tippy than the raceday rockets, and a lower stack height which allows greater connection to the ground.

While the previous version of the Zoom Fly could feel thick and chunky on the foot, the 6 is lean and streamlined. We found it felt light and fast on tempo runs or when doing speedwork, and stable and comfortable on longer, slower runs, although the heel-toe transition is less smooth when heel striking at an easy pace.

The carbon plate sandwiched between the two layers of foam, which feels slightly less rigid and aggressively rockered than that in the Zoom Fly鈥檚 racing siblings, seemed to stabilize the ride and save energy. The texturized rubber outsole does a great job gripping dry or wet roads, and even feels capable on smooth dirt. The woven mesh upper is comfortable and breathable, and the partially gusseted tongue cradles the foot. The Zoom Fly 6 feels capable and fun for daily miles, but is no slouch as a race-day choice either.

Runners who don鈥檛 want to fork more than $250 for a race-only super shoe may just fall in love with the Zoom Fly 6, as many of our testers did.

Best For Recovery Runs

Hoka Bondi 9

Weight: 10.5 oz (men), 9.3 oz (women)
Stack Height: 43-38 mm (men), 42-37 mm (women)
Drop: 5 mm
Sizing: 7-16 (men鈥檚), 4-12 (women鈥檚); D, 2E, 4E widths

Pros and Cons
鈯� Upgraded, livelier midsole
鈯� Plush upper
鈯� Stiff sole

When your legs are still aching from yesterday鈥檚 run, few things feel better than slipping into a pair of thick-soled running shoes with a plush, cushioned upper鈥攕omething just like the Hoka Bondi 9. For this version, Hoka completely overhauled the midsole, adding two millimeters of stack height and replacing the standard EVA foam found in the Bondi 8 with a new supercritical (gas-infused) EVA compound. The result? A softer, more responsive ride.

We were pleasantly surprised to find the Bondi 9 had a speedy streak that we would not expect from such a thick-soled shoe. One longtime Bondi tester described the updated version as more plush and squishy, with a sole that feels noticeably less stiff than the previous version. Another noted the new foam felt livelier and springier. While it鈥檚 still not a shoe we鈥檇 pull for speed sessions, it made recovery runs feel a little peppier.

Hoka incorporates strategically placed flex grooves, carved into the outsole and bottom of the midsole, to promote smooth transitions and enhance flexibility throughout the gait cycle. That said, compared to most running shoes, we still found the Bondi 9 to have one of the least flexible soles. But Hoka鈥檚 signature rocker shape, which allows the foot to roll forward without bending, compensates for this, and the shoe delivered a smoothly flowing ride from heel-strike to toe-off.

The engineered mesh upper is generously padded around the heel collar and tongue, providing a secure and comfortable wrap around the foot. One tester praised the extra cushioning, noting that it made the shoe fit better. On that note, all agreed that the Bondi 9 runs true to size.

If you’re looking for the classic plush and protected Hoka ride, the Bondi 9 delivers. 鈥淚t’s got all the right bells and whistles of a true Hoka,鈥� said one tester.

Best Natural Ride

Topo Athletic Cyclone 3

Weight: 6.9 oz (men鈥檚), 5.5 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack height: 28鈥�23 mm
Drop: 5 mm
Sizing: 8-13 (men鈥檚), 6-11 (wome鈥檔s)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Extremely lightweight
鈯� Comfortable toe space with secure foothold
鈯� Excellent ground feel combined with bouncy cushioning
鈯� Best limited to short runs for most

Topo Athletic shoes are known for their roomy toe box, which provides ample wiggle room and allows for natural foot movement, while also offering a secure midfoot and heel hold. The Cyclone 3 lives up to that reputation. We felt, in fact, that the foot hold and comfort of the Cyclone 2 was improved upon here. And in an era where the vast majority of shoes boast massive amounts of midsole foam and rigid propulsion plates, the Cyclone 3 unapologetically keeps things simple with a thin, flexible layer of premium Pebax foam.

This shoe may have one of the lowest stack heights available on the market (short of minimalist models), but the Pebax midsole still provides springy cushioning that one tester said makes you want to run faster: 鈥淲hen you put it on you feel like you can take off quicker than expected. It鈥檚 an easy-going ride.鈥� Another noted, 鈥淎s the foam compresses, I feel a connection with the ground without being harsh, and when it bounces back, it seems to enhance the power of my push-off.鈥�

We credit the Cyclone 3鈥檚 easy forward roll to its incredibly light weight, rockered geometry, great flexibility, and midsole pop. 鈥淭his reminds me of an old-school, lightweight, flexible shoe for speed and racing,鈥� said a tester.

We found the airy upper ideal for summer running, whether in the hot and dry climate of Colorado, thick humidity of Virginia, or tropical vibes of Hawaii. And because of its feather weight, flexibility, and versatility, the Cyclone 3 is a great choice for traveling: it packs easily and is equally adept whether running on the soft surfaces of a beach or a concrete bike trail.

Best Stability Shoes

Best All-Around Stability Shoe

Asics Gel-Kayano 32

Weight: 10.6 oz (men), 9.0 oz (women)
Stack height: 40鈥�32 mm (men鈥檚), 39鈥�31 mm (women鈥檚)
Drop: 8 mm
Sizing: 6-16 (men鈥檚), 5-13 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Reliably stable
鈯� Plush cushioning
鈯� On the heavier side

Two Kayanos ago, Asics ditched the traditional medial post with a more forgiving, smoother-running geometry and foam combination to achieve stability for those who need it. The Kayano 31 built on the success of the 30, and the Kayano 32 is even better. This is a plush, well-cushioned, supportive shoe that can take overpronators from mile one to 26, and through all of their long-run training miles. It鈥檚 not a lightweight, speedy shoe, but it doesn鈥檛 claim to be.

Stability comes from a wide, flared sole and a soft, bouncy insert under the arch designed to reduce how long a runner鈥檚 foot is in a pronated position. 鈥淭he shoe feels supportive under the midfoot, but not firm,鈥� said one tester. 鈥淚t allows my foot to move naturally, then rebounds under the arch and provides a pleasant push-back as I roll onto my toes.鈥� The cushioning, while feeling slightly firmer and more responsive than that in the 31, remains plush鈥攍ong gone are the days of overpronators having to wear a blocky, stiff shoe.

This version is updated with two millimeters more foam under the forefoot, reducing the heel-toe drop for a more balanced stance, making the forefoot rocker more pronounced, and delivering more comfort over the long haul. Plus, it gets a better-fitting tongue. 鈥淚 found the fit and feel of the shoe to be great,鈥� said a tester. 鈥淭he gusseted tongue wraps a bit nicer than in the past, and the slightly thinner material is more sock-like so there are no pressure points.鈥�

Final verdict: The Kayano32 is protective without feeling overbearing. This tried-and-true model has evolved, and continues to impress.

Best Plush Stability

Puma ForeverRun Nitro 2

Weight: 10.4 oz (men), 8.1 oz (women)
Stack height: 38鈥�28 mm
Drop: 10 mm
Sizing: 7-13, 14 (men鈥檚), 6-11 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Soft and smooth
鈯� Stable without feeling controlling
鈯� Toe box uncomfortable for some

The Puma ForeverRun Nitro 2鈥檚 significant stack of nitrogen-infused TPE foam underfoot and a wide forefoot silhouette make this feel like a lot of shoe. This thing is plush. But for that much cush this shoe comes in at a reasonable weight and offers a forgiving, comfortable ride.

Testers found the foam鈥攁 combination of a softer core surrounded by a firmer perimeter 鈥攖o feel great underfoot, noting that the shoe ran 鈥渟mooth and easy.鈥� That鈥檚 not a description that comes easy for a stability shoe, and makes the ForeverRun Nitro 2 stand out. Complementing the underfoot cush is a premium engineered mesh upper that eliminates interior seams (aside from the partially gusseted tongue, which adds midfoot hold) to provide a welcoming step-in feel.听 The secure heel hold with a stabilizing external heel clip gives way to a narrow/secure-fitting midfoot, then splays out to a wide forefoot geometry that seems to add inherent stability throughout the gait cycle.

Despite the wide forefoot shape at the base, some testers craved more room on the interior, noting a feeling of crammed toes. But overall, the ForeverRun Nitro 2 is a great option for those seeking a combination of stability and cushioning in a good-looking shoe.

See our full round-up of stability shoes

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HOKA Clifton 9 Running Shoe

Need a light, plush shoe for your everyday miles? Meet the HOKA Clifton 9. HOKA added more foam underfoot yet somehow dropped ounces to give increased shock absorption at a lower weight, making the ride smoother and your stride freer. The strategically placed rubber zones ensure this pair holds strong against the rigors of a daily trainer, while the articulated heel collar keeps you locked in mile after mile.

Best Lightweight Stability

Brooks Hyperion GTS 2

Weight: 7.6 oz (men鈥檚), 6.9 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack Height: 31.5鈥�23.5 mm
Drop: 8 mm
Sizing: Men鈥檚 7鈥�15; Women鈥檚 5鈥�12

Pros and Cons
鈯� Lightweight
鈯� Low-profile, agile-feeling, and supportive ride
鈯� Highly breathable upper
鈯� Can feel too squishy in the heel for some

We loved the first-iteration Hyperion GTS for its lightweight comfort and springy, nitrogen-infused cushioning that one tester described as 鈥渇un and fast.鈥� The second version is updated with a new midsole compound鈥攏itrogen-infused DNA Flash v2鈥攚hich Brooks says is lighter weight and more responsive than its predecessor. We concur鈥攐ne tester described it as 鈥渟nappy,鈥� while another remarked on how it seems to push back while compressing and offers impressive rebound.

The GTS 2 still features stabilizing guide rails along the sides of the heel鈥攁 raised extension of the midsole foam on the outside, a firmer TPU piece on the inside鈥攖o help reduce heel shift and rotation for runners whose stride strays excessively inward or outward, especially towards the end of their run as a result of fatigue.

We appreciated the feeling of support while still being able to run smoothly and speedily when we wanted to up the effort. 鈥淚鈥檇 definitely speed train in these,鈥� said a tester. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e responsive, nimble, and light.鈥� These shoes are ideal for any runner looking for a daily trainer or racer that gives them a connected ground feel without being minimal. The cushioning is noticeable and lively, while the stability features are discreet. 鈥淚 found these easy to run in at any speed,鈥� said one. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e very responsive to whatever I feel like doing in them.鈥�

See our full round-up of stability shoes

Best Racing Shoes

Best Marathon Racer

Nike Alphafly 3

Weight: 7.8 oz (men), 6.2 oz (women)
Stack Height: 40鈥�32 mm
Drop: 8 mm
Sizing: 6-15 (men鈥檚), 5-12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Bouncy, trampoline-like ride
鈯� Works for a wide range of runners
鈯� Lighter weight than previous versions of the AlphaFly
鈯� Heel can feel unstable
鈯� Can be hard to find in specific sizes

We鈥檝e run in all three versions of the AlphaFly to date and think this third iteration is a great update. Subtle adjustments to the shoe鈥檚 geometry, including a wider footprint and carbon fiber plate, paired with repositioned Air Zoom units and strategically sculpted midsole, give the Alphafly 3 a distinctly different feel from its predecessor, which many found heavy and clunky compared to the original. This shoe again feels bouncy, fun, and fast.

Complementing the cush and rebound of ZoomX (Pebax) foam and Air Zoom units (pockets of compressed air and tensile threads) is a full-length carbon fiber plate that gives the shoe extra snap and adds a touch of appreciated stability that even the most efficient runners can benefit from when fatigued (marathon, anyone?). One of our more competitive testers praised the Alphafly 3 for its bouncy, energy-saving ride and says she鈥檒l wear no other shoe for races longer than 10 miles. Another speedy tester noted, 鈥淓ven running as fast as 5k pace, I found the Alphafly responded quickly, encouraging a fast turnover.鈥� Some slower runners noted, however, that landing on the Alphafly鈥檚 sculpted heel can create a feeling of instability until the plate is engaged at the midfoot roll.

The upper of the Alphafly 3 is a lightweight, super-breathable mesh with an integrated tongue and thin, notched laces that pull tight and stay tied. Our feet were comfortable and secure without any pressure points on top of the ready-to-fly platform. We love that this shoe got lighter than its previous versions, which adds to its race-readiness.

Read our full review of the Alphafly 3. .

Runner-Up Marathon Racer

Saucony Endorphin Elite 2

Weight: 7.0 oz (men)
Stack height: 39.5鈥�31.5 mm
Drop: 8 mm
Sizing: 3.5-14 (men鈥檚/unisex)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Fast and springy
鈯� Secure foothold
鈯� Slightly unstable

Talk about an overhaul. This second iteration of the Saucony Elite could not be more different than the first. The primary reason is the underfoot feel of Saucony鈥檚 new, proprietary midsole material made out of TPEE that they鈥檙e calling 鈥淚ncrediRUN鈥� foam. While the original Elite鈥檚 midsole felt until compressed powerfully, the Elite 2鈥檚 midsole feels wildly squishy and unstable when walking or slow jogging in the shoe. But, as one tester noted, 鈥淥nce I started to pick up the pace, the foam firmed up and became insanely responsive.鈥� With a stack height that falls just within legal limits for a marathon-racing shoe, that massive amount of rebounding foam鈥攃ombined with a carbon fiber plate that鈥檚 slotted in the forefoot for flexibility (the same plate as in the original Saucony Elite) and an aggressive toe spring鈥攎akes this shoe beg for speed.

The upper has also been drastically updated, and we dig it. A combination of knit and mesh plus an airy knit tongue makes the shoe highly breathable. Testers found the heel collar and areas underneath the TPU overlays a bit warmer, but loved the secure heel fit paired with a roomier toe box. This is a fast, fun, lively shoe for race day.

Fit notes: We found this shoe to run a bit short. Also, the heel collar comes up high enough that a longer-than-no-show sock is needed.

Best For Shorter Road Races

Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4

Weight: 7.1 oz (men), 6.1 oz (women)
Stack Height: 39鈥�33 mm
Drop: 6 mm
Sizing: 6-13.5, 14.5 (men鈥檚), 5-12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Soft, bouncier midsole than previous versions
鈯� Great fitting, comfortable upper
鈯� Less stability and ground feel than previous versions

For short road races like the 5k and 10k you need a shoe that鈥檚 lively, explosive, and ready to roll. The new Adios Pro is all that. 鈥淯nlike the Pro 3, which felt more like a cruising shoe, the Pro 4 actively pushed you forward,鈥� one tester remarked, adding that 鈥渋t makes fast paces feel easier.鈥� To achieve this, Adidas overhauled the Adios Pro 4 from top to bottom. Previously recognized as one of the firmer and more stable super shoes, it now joins the ranks of softer, bouncier super racers built for maximum cushioning and energy return. The newly formulated midsole is noticeably softer and bouncier.

Adidas鈥� signature energy rods are still embedded in the midsole, adding a bit of rigidity to the squish and roll. The start of the rocker, however, has been shifted backward, from 70 to 60 percent of the distance from heel to toe. When building their ultralight, high-performing race model, the , Adidas鈥� designers learned that the longer rocker engages the foot earlier in the stride and benefits forefoot and midfoot runners, enabling a smoother transition from midfoot to toe-off. Testers noted the change, with one saying, 鈥淭his shoe allows you to push off of your toe a lot easier than other shoes, which gives that fast feel.鈥�

Substantial improvements were also made to the upper, which is now crafted of a one-way stretch-woven upper material that鈥檚 incredibly soft and form-fitting. Testers loved how it adapted to their foot鈥檚 shape, providing a secure, locked-in feel for total control. 鈥淭he upper disappears on my foot in the best way possible,鈥� remarked one.

鈥淭he Pro 4 is lighter, bouncier, and responsive than the Pro 3鈥攁 huge step up.鈥� Unfortunately, those who liked the firmer, more stable and grounded feel of the Pro 3 may feel differently.

How to Choose a Running Shoe

When choosing a road running shoe, the first step is to determine the type of running you鈥檒l primarily be doing in them. Do you need a speedy racer, a shoe that offers comfort during long, slow jogs, or a versatile trainer that can handle various distances and paces?

Next, consider your preference for the feel of the shoe鈥檚 cushioning: do you like a soft, forgiving ride, a more energetic, bouncy sensation underfoot, or a firmer platform that provides better ground feel? With advancements in foams and technologies, many shoes today offer cushioning without compromising responsiveness or stability. However, each shoe balances these characteristics differently, providing a spectrum of options to choose from. The key to finding the perfect running shoe is choosing the one you鈥檙e most comfortable with.

Once you鈥檝e narrowed the search to a certain type of road shoe, you need to find a pair that complements your unique body and stride. Every runner鈥檚 body, gait, speed, experience, and ride preferences are different, so every runner will interact differently with each running shoe. The shoe that your best friend or your sister-in-law loves may be uncomfortable for you and make running feel slow, sluggish, or even painful. Finding the perfect pair of road running shoes is a seriously personal affair.

The process for choosing the best running shoes is a matter of finding the models that both fit your foot and also feel best when you鈥檙e running. To determine fit and feel, there鈥檚 no substitute for trying the shoes on and running in them.

Fit: Match Your Foot Shape

When assessing fit, first pay attention to length. You need room at the end of your toes as your feet lengthen during their dynamic movements on the run. A rule of thumb is to allow a thumb鈥檚 width between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. Runners often wear a running shoe a half or full size bigger than their street shoes.

Ensure that the shape of the sole and the upper matches your foot shape. The sole should be as wide or wider than your foot for the whole length, and match the curve of your arch comfortably. The shoe should hold your foot securely over the instep, while allowing the ball of the foot and the toes to splay and flex when you roll forward onto them. Your heel shouldn鈥檛 slip when you lift it, and the arch should be able to dome and lengthen naturally. Nothing should bind or rub as you roll through the stride.

Feel: Match Your Movement Path

If the shoe fits, it鈥檚 time to take them on a short run on a treadmill, around the store, or, ideally, down the block and back. Every running shoe has a unique ride created by the type and density of foam in the midsole and the geometry of that foam: its thickness, width, heel-to-toe drop, molded sidewalls or flares, and forefoot flexibility or rocker shape (plus, in an increasing number of models, the presence of and type of embedded plate). Each of these elements interact with each other and your stride to determine how the shoe reacts on landing, how much it cushions, how stably it supports, how smoothly it transitions from landing to toe off, and how quickly and powerfully it rebounds.

The best way to choose the shoes that complement your body and stride is to find the ones that feel right on the run. Benno Nigg, the world-leading biomechanics professor who , calls it the 鈥渃omfort filter,鈥� but makes clear it is far more than how plush the shoe feels when you step into it. What you want to assess is whether the shoe allows and supports the way your feet want to move, what Nigg calls your 鈥減referred movement path.鈥� In the right shoe, while running at your normal pace, you will touch down where you expect to land, roll smoothly and stably through the stride without noticing the shoe, feel both cushioned from and connected to the ground, and push off naturally, quickly, and powerfully. When this comes together you鈥檒l know that you鈥檝e found your pair.

It鈥檚 likely that several shoes will feel good on your feet. To find the most comfortable, it helps to compare them back to back, like an eye doctor will do with corrective lenses: flipping between 鈥淎鈥� or 鈥淏,鈥� 鈥�1鈥� or 鈥�2.鈥� You may also find that different shoes feel better at different paces or level of fatigue, and you may want more than one pair. In fact, research shows that wearing a variety of different shoes is one of the few to reduce injury risk as it appears to vary the stresses on your feet and joints.

What About Injury Prevention?

Running shoes have long been marketed and sold as prescriptive devices to help runners stay healthy, but there is correlating shoes, or any specific shoe properties鈥攍ike cushioning or pronation control鈥攚ith running injuries. Medical professionals say that it is highly difficult to determine whether a runner needs a certain type of shoe, and studies have shown that prescribing shoes using traditional methods like treadmill gait analyses or wet-foot arch height tests don鈥檛 consistently reduce injuries.

Don鈥檛 assume that you need more cushioning or more stability if you have sore joints, or if you鈥檙e a heavier runner, or if you鈥檙e a beginner鈥攅vidence doesn鈥檛 support many common beliefs. The best way prevent injury is find two or three different pairs that feel right on the run, ease into using them, and vary your shoes, your running surface and your pace regularly (plus avoid rapid increases in your training load and work on ).

How We Test

• Number of testers: 27
• Number of shoes tested: 119
• Number of miles: 21,000+ over a year

To test running shoes, we begin by researching every brand鈥檚 upcoming offerings for the coming season. We wind up with dozens of samples of the models (39 road shoes this season, 119 over the year) that are most promising鈥攏ot just for us, but for 27 testers that range in age, ability, running form, geographical location, and preferred shoe types. We try to put each tester in models from within the same category (e.g., neutral, stability, carbon fiber, zero drop or uptempo) so everyone can compare apples-to-apples.

After three to six months of running in each model on paved roads, concrete multi-use paths, treadmills, sandy beach paths, dirt roads, and tracks at a variety of distances, paces, and weather conditions, our crew members report back with their assessments of fit, comfort, traction, cushioning, flexibility, stiffness, pop, what type of running the model is best used for, how the shoe compares to other models, and more. We also run in every shoe ourselves, and, combining all the tester feedback with years of personal experience, hone in on the best. This guide combines the best recent shoes with outstanding shoes still available from the past two test periods.

Meet Our Lead Testers

Lisa Jhung

Freelance journalist, editor, and author has researched, tested, and written about running shoes for the past decade and a half, much of that time for 国产吃瓜黑料 and 国产吃瓜黑料 Buyer鈥檚 Guides. She coordinates a fleet of female shoe testers out of Boulder, Colorado, and says her home office is a perpetual obstacle course of cardboard boxes and piles of running shoes. Lisa鈥檚 written about gear of all kinds for numerous national magazines as both an editor and freelancer, including a stint as the Shoes & Gear blogger and trail running microsite editor for Runner鈥檚 World.

A high school jumper and occasional sprinter/hurdler, she started running鈥攔eally running鈥攁fter walking off the collegiate volleyball team, and moved on to road and trail races of any distance, triathlons, adventure races, and mountain running. She鈥檚 happiest testing rugged trail shoes on gnarly terrain, and also loves a good neighborhood jaunt鈥ut is almost always looking for ribbons of dirt. Lisa is the author of Running That Doesn鈥檛 Suck: How to Love Running (Even If You Think You Hate It) and Trailhead: The Dirt on All Things Trail Running.

Cory Smith

passion for running started over 30 years ago in high school when he became the number six ranked runner in the nation at 3000 meters his senior year. After high school, he competed at Villanova University, earning two NCAA Division I Championship showings. Today, he鈥檚 determined not to let age slow him down and competes on the national master鈥檚 circuit, running a 4:12 (4:30 mile pace)) 1500 meters and 9:04 (4:52 mile pace) 3000 meters in 2021 at age 43. He prefers a hard track workout or tempo run over an easy long run any day but also appreciates a challenging trail or mountain run.

His obsession with running shoes started in 2014 when he wrote his first shoe review for Gear Institute. Since then, he鈥檚 tested and reviewed hundreds of running shoes, clothing, and gear for 国产吃瓜黑料, Runner鈥檚 World, Footwear News, and other outlets. He has a soft spot for speedy shoes over heavy trainers but loves dissecting all shoes equally and thinking like a product engineer to explain the why behind every design detail. Cory is the Founder of , an online running coaching business, and since its inception in 2014, has coached runners鈥� to over 100 Boston Marathon Qualifying times.

Here鈥檚 one of 颁辞谤测鈥檚 shoe-testing routes on MapMyRun:

Jonathan Beverly

Jonathan fell in love with running his freshman year of high school and quickly became fascinated with finding the perfect pair of running shoes. That quest got a boost when he became editor of Running Times in 2000 and started receiving every new model as they were released. The parade of shoes continued while he served as shoe editor for Runner鈥檚 World, then editor of PodiumRunner, and currently fitness gear editor at 国产吃瓜黑料. Having now worn nearly every running shoe created in this century鈥攁nd a fair amount of those dating back to the early models of the 鈥�70s鈥攈e鈥檚 given up on finding the one best and now relishes the wide variety of excellent options.

Once a 2:46 marathoner regularly doing 50+ mile weeks, recent injuries and his age have reduced his volume by about half and slowed his easy training pace to around nine-minute miles鈥攂ut he says he still enjoys an uptempo workout or two each week. Beverly is the author of the book which explores how each individual鈥檚 gait鈥攁nd, consequently shoe preference鈥攊s unique. He enjoys getting scientists鈥� take on new shoe trends and trying to describe the nuances of each shoe鈥檚 ride.

The post The Best Running Shoes for Training and Racing (Summer 2025) appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Having grown up a San Diego beach kid and Santa Barbara college kid, I鈥檝e spent a lot of time in bikinis. Now that I live in Boulder, Colorado, I鈥檓 often at a community pool swimming laps, paddling on lakes or reservoirs, or playing volleyball in the sand. I also travel often to beaches where I can surf, ocean swim, and play soccer in the sand with my boys. So it was natural for me to test bikinis for active women.

I鈥檝e always felt the right two-piece is way more comfortable鈥攎ore supportive on top and less creeping on the bottom, plus cooler in summer heat鈥攖han a one-piece bathing suit. But as I鈥檓 not 20 years old anymore (far from it, actually) I鈥檝e wondered: Do I need to retire my two-pieces and give in to a life of wearing only one-piece bathing suits? Do societal norms accept us in our 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond, baring our midriffs and wearing bikinis?

I鈥檝e decided I don鈥檛 care. And if you also prefer bikinis over one-pieces, I鈥檓 suggesting that you don鈥檛 care, either. To help you find the best bikini for any activity, I鈥檝e updated last summer鈥檚 list of bikinis for active women with 11 more styles that appear as either a new category winner for this season, or as a runner-up option in a key category.

At a Glance

• How I Tested Bikinis for Active Women
• Most Comfortable
• Most Coverage
• Most Secure
• Most Fashionable
• Best Value

How I Tested Bikinis for Active Women

I took a collection of bikinis for active women on family trips to Costa Rica and Hawaii. I鈥檝e worn them surfing, swimming, bodysurfing, and playing volleyball and soccer on the beach with my teenage sons and husband. I鈥檝e sometimes spontaneously taken off on a barefoot run on the sand at low tide while wearing these suits. I also brought the suits on a river rafting trip in Arizona where we paddled and hiked for a week, only removing our bathing suits at the end of each day, sometimes after doing cartwheels on the riverbank.

This year, I also had some suits tested by friends鈥攚ho are also a bit past 20 years old, but, one could say, hyperactive. One hiked and swam in her test suits on a family trip in Switzerland. Another swam laps and lounged at the community pool in Boulder.

The following bikinis for active women have been thoroughly鈥攁nd I mean thoroughly鈥攖ested over two summers. They all provide more coverage both in the rear and up top than skimpier bikinis, and they stay put whether you鈥檙e paddling out, diving for a volleyball, chasing a toddler鈥攐r racing a teenager.

Most Comfortable

Carve Designs Escondido Top

The pulls on overhead and fits like a sports bra. Though the company rates it as 鈥渓ight support鈥� for A/B cups, I found it plenty supportive for a run and any other beach activity. I love the simplicity of this top. There are no hooks, loops, adjustment straps, or fasteners digging into the skin, so it鈥檚 comfortable to wear under a PFD or backpack. I also love how the fabric is a blend of 82 percent recycled polyester, made from plastic water bottles, and 18 percent spandex for stretch. I鈥檓 a big fan of companies striving to minimize plastics that end up in the ocean, especially when I鈥檓 wearing a suit to enjoy said ocean. Plus, the material is 50 UPF.

Carve Designs Pipa Compression Bottoms

The strike a great balance between modesty and style. They have decent rear-end coverage, although they鈥檙e a tad cheeky, and the material extends high enough to cover the lower belly. These bottoms stayed put while doing cartwheels, surfing, and playing in the ocean. They鈥檙e made with a compressive fabric blend: 42 percent spandex (the compressive quality), 35 percent recycled polyester, and 23 percent recycled nylon. They feel supportive in the right places without being constrictive. 50 UPF.

Most Comfortable Runner Up Top and Bottoms

Carve Designs Tofino Top

The interior shelf bra inside the makes this half-tankini (it doesn鈥檛 extend to the waist) a comfortable, supportive choice for going for a run and then jumping in the ocean for a full-on swim afterward, goggles and all. The soft v-neck front, combined with a wide-cut back, adds to the Tofino Top鈥檚 ability to work well for activities like pickleball鈥攊t鈥檚 as supportive as a shimmel-style sports bra, but the styling adds just that: style.

Carve Designs Reversible St. Barth Bottom

The strike a great balance of fit, function, and style. Fun prints (reversible with a solid color) and comfortable recycled polyester/spandex make these bottoms easy to wear. 鈥淭hese were chafe-free during a short trail run,鈥� said a tester who took them on a family summer trip to Switzerland. She also wore them on a sweltering hike where she got sweaty and took a dip in the ocean. 鈥淚 loved that these bottoms stayed in place,鈥� she reported. 鈥淧erfect practical and flattering suit for a 50+ year old.鈥�

Most Coverage

Patagonia Cami Top

The 鈥檚 high neck silhouette made me feel perfectly appropriate when driving my 13-year-old son and his friend to the local pool. It then remained comfortable when I snuck in 1600 yards of laps, and it dried in time to drive home comfortably. The racerback cut makes the top fit and stay put as well as a sports bra, while the blend of recycled nylon/recycled spandex material both looks and feels good.

Prana Baja Bound Swim Bottom

The are the most full-coverage of any other bottoms I tested, both in the rear and around the midsection as the top extends past my belly button. The wide side cut helps the material鈥�78 percent recycled nylon, 22 percent Lycra/elastane blend鈥攕tay put for minimal creeping. A small, zippered pocket at the back holds a key or other essentials, though it kept me from wanting to do crunches or yoga poses on my back. An adjustable tie at the waist helps keep them from getting washed off my body while playing in whitewater, though I鈥檓 not sure they need it. 50 UPF.

Most Coverage Runner Up Top

Carve Designs Sanitas Compression Reversible Top

The made me feel securely covered, with its high neck providing both modesty and coverage from the sun. The neckline and the racerback style (with a cut out), also provide support, making the top function like a long sports bra. We love all the reversible color and print options, and the top鈥檚 major comfort helped it stand out in our testing.

Most Secure

Left on Friday Double Scoop Top

The surprised me. The Italian fabric blend of 46% nylon/ 38% polyester/16% Lycra is ridiculously smooth, soft, and supportive all at once. (That support may also come from the top seeming to run a bit small.) A band around the rib cage and the scoopneck cut make this top fit somewhat like a sports bra, but it鈥檚 much better looking. It also handles swimming and surfing without moving or sagging, and dries quickly. This is a comfortable, secure, do-everything swim top.

Patagonia Nanogrip Bottoms

I鈥檝e long been a fan of for their in-between amount of coverage and comfort. The , however, stay in place better. They feature a 鈥淣onslip Nanogrip lining鈥� throughout the entire interior which felt like it did, indeed, stick to my bare skin just a touch, and didn鈥檛 slip or creep when I paddled out on a longboard or played volleyball. The cut is midrise and mid-coverage: they鈥檙e much lower at the waist than others in this roundup, but the material covers more of my rear and stays put.

Most Secure Runner Up Bottoms

Carve Designs Stinson Bottom

听

Earning a place among the best bikinis for active women this year, the Carve Designs Stinson Bottoms have a banded waist designed for high-energy activity, and they stayed put through lap swimming, surfing, pickleball, and sand volleyball. The Stinson Bottoms provide moderate coverage without being frumpy. They鈥檙e extremely comfortable for active use and lounging alike.

Most Fashionable

Left on Friday Playa Top

The one-shoulder cut of the had me intrigued. I鈥檇 seen the style worn by the Canadian beach volleyball team and noted how the tops kept them covered despite amazing, body-flailing digs. I found the top just as secure as a two-shoulder design, and surprisingly comfortable. Not only is one arm completely free to swing, swim, and pull weeds (I may have done some gardening in a bikini behind my tall fence), but the support and compressive feel of the smooth fabric just doesn鈥檛 budge. As a bonus, the style made me feel cooler in the heat. Note: This cut seems to run smaller than the we also tested in this roundup.

Vuori High Waisted Bikini Bottom

The strikes an interesting balance of mom-vibes and cheekiness. The high-waist cut offers a slight compressive鈥攜et comfortable鈥攆eel on the belly, while the backside is more Euro-chic (as one tester pointed out, European women well into their golden years embrace cheekiness more than on American beaches). The polyamide/elastane material of Vuori suits is smooth and stretchy, and it feels great against the skin鈥攚et or dry. And the cut of this suit adds style, even in classic solid colors. (Check out the for a more traditional cut.)

Best Value

Quince V-Neck Bikini Top

It鈥檚 nearly impossible to find a good-looking, activewear bathing suit top and bottom for under 50 bucks, but these two separates deliver a modest, functional cut and style at that bargain price. And their performance won them a spot on our list of best bikinis for active women in this new category this year.

The provided more coverage than a classic triangle top and stayed put while wallowing in lazy rivers and hitting the snack bar. The adjustable shoulder straps helped two testers of different shapes and cup sizes find a perfect fit, but our personal recommendation: This suit is best for low-impact activity. 鈥淭his top is movement-friendly and okay for walking and easy swimming, but didn’t stay in place for cliff-jumping,鈥� said a 52-year-old tester. The recycled polyamide/spandex blend fabric looks and feels good when dry but seems to stay wet longer than other suits in this roundup, especially with the removable pads in place. (Staying damp can provide a natural cooling system in sweltering heat, but it can be a drag after a while.)

Quince High-Rise Bikini Bottom

While most high-rise bikini bottoms make up for the tummy coverage by practically baring both butt cheeks, the offers a bit more material on the rear, without looking like your granny鈥檚 underwear. We appreciated the coverage when walking around the community swimming pool and liked how the bottoms stayed in place while swimming a few casual laps. A downside to these bottoms is that this suit, like the top, stays wet longer than others, and it can feel like a lot of material on the skin.

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The contact points between the rider and a bicycle are some of the most important aspects of riding a two-wheeled steed (think saddle, grips, pedals, and, yes, shoes). The bike shoe category has widened dramatically in the past few years to include everything from the highest-performance road shoes to versatile gravel kicks to flat pedal pumps designed for rugged mountain bike rides.

Our testers rode hundreds of miles to find the best cycling shoes for fit and performance across all of these categories. From sleek, clipless shoes for dancing on dirt to the mountain biking equivalent of steel-toe construction boots for your own personal Redbull Rampage, we hand-picked the following options that meet the needs of modern riders.

Updated July 2025: We added 8 new picks, including our new favorite MTB and road cycling shoes鈥攖he Crankbrothers Mallet BOA and Specialized Torch 3.0. We also updated pricing and info on previously listed bike shoes.听

Best Bike Shoes at a Glance

Best Mountain Bike Shoes

• Best Do-It-All Clipless Shoe: Crankbrothers Mallet Boa ($200)
• Best Flat Pedal Shoe: Pearl Izumi X-ALP Launch ($150 $90)
• Best Downhill/Enduro Shoe: Shimano GE7 ($180)
• Best Protection: Ride Concepts Tallac Mid BOA MTB ($220)

Best Road Cycling Shoes

• Best Overall: Specialized Torch 3.0 ($280)
• Best Performance: Shimano RC903S ($475)
• Best On a Budget: Fizik Beat Tempo ($180)

Best Gravel Shoes

• Best Gravel/XC Shoe: Giro Sector ($240)
• Best High-End Gravel/XC shoe: SIDI Physis ($399)
• How to Choose Bike Shoes
• How We Test
• Meet Our Lead Testers

Best Mountain Bike Shoes

Best Do-It-All Clipless Shoe: Crankbrothers Mallet BOA Clip-In Shoes

Available sizes: US M 6 – 14

Pros and Cons
鈯� Very comfortable
鈯� Super durable
鈯� Supremely adjustable fit
鈯� Limited ankle coverage

Technically, the Mallet is Crankbrothers鈥� offering for gravity-focused endeavors鈥攄ownhill, park, and enduro racing鈥攂ut these well-padded shoes are lightweight and breathable enough that if you loathe the ballet slipper look, they do just fine for any riding this side of XC racing.

While the brand makes their own pedals, the Mallet utilizes the brand鈥檚 鈥楳atch鈥� design philosophy: a long and wide cleat pocket that鈥檚 designed to both shed mud and aid cleat engagement/release regardless of your preferred clipless pedal. The shoes come with shims to optimize your pedal-cleat-shoe interface, but in a nod to their own pedals, and as an encouragement for you to use them, the Mallets come with Crankbrothers鈥� own cleat already installed in a neutral position.

The shoes are burly yet offer a comfortable amount of padding, with silicone gripper dots in the heel cup for a secure fit. They also utilize just the right amount of ventilation for good breathability on all but the hottest days. The medium stiff midsole combined with a nicely rockered sole makes for exceptional comfort both on and off the bike. All these features, combined with the ability to dial in an exact fit with the BOA dial, make these shoes a winner. Our only complaint: We wish they offered a little more ankle coverage.

Best Flat Pedal Shoe: Pearl Izumi X-ALP Launch

Available sizes: EU 39 – 49

Pros and Cons
鈯� Lightweight
鈯� Optimal for narrow feet
鈯� BOA loosened on longer rides
鈯� Soles not as grippy as Five Ten or Ride Concepts

The X-ALP Launch is an affordable flat pedal mountain bike shoe that takes the cake when it comes to a lightweight, flexible feel. The shoe features a stout Cordura mesh upper with a single BOA dial that allows for quick fit adjustments. We found that the X-ALP has a low-to-medium internal volume that runs a bit narrower in the toe box than other brands. An EVA foam midsole is paired with an outsole featuring Goodyear rubber molded with a chevron pattern, designed to offer good grip and traction.

Despite the use of brand-name rubber, the X-Alp is not the grippiest shoe out there. But that鈥檚 not necessarily a bad thing: this allows for easy micro foot adjustments compared to the locked in feel of some other shoes on our list. What the sole lacks in grip, it makes up for with impressive lightweight feel and efficient power transfer. In our testing, the shoes excelled on longer trail rides in dryer weather where heat and foot fatigue can be issues. And while the single BOA loosened up a bit on our longer rides, it’s fairly easy to tighten up on the fly. This might not be the shoe you want for bike park laps, but it hits the mark for those who prefer the versatility of a flat pedal shoe versus clipless for hot cross-country and trail rides.

Best for Downhill/Enduro Riding: Shimano GE7

Available sizes: EU 38 – 48

Pros and Cons
鈯� Excellent off the bike grip
鈯� Longer cleat channel
鈯� Roomy toe box
鈯� Runs a little hot

The Shimano GE7 is one of our favorite clipless MTB shoes. The SPD-compatible GE7 features laces with a velcro instep strap for precise fit, a burly outsole for enhanced grip, raised and padded ankle collar, enhanced toe cap, and a reinforced fiberglass midsole (TORBAL 2.0, a midsole technology that provides targeted rigidity and flexibility) for stellar pedaling efficiency.

Originally designed for Enduro style racing, this shoe is meant for big days that could involve a fair bit of hike-a-bike as well as full-tilt boogie pedaling. Translation: it鈥檚 super comfortable and holds up well on longer rides thanks to a nice balance of stiffness and flex in the sole, plus a relaxed鈥揹are I say 鈥榬oomy鈥�?鈥搕oe box to give those little piggies room to stretch out. The traction is excellent when you鈥檙e off the bike and the cleat placement is slightly more centrally placed than other brands, allowing for a more performance-oriented cleat position. More importantly, the shoe can take a beating. And the asymmetric padded ankle cuffs keep ankle/crank interaction downright civilized.

Shimano shoes tend to be durable enough for multiple riding seasons, and while this one runs a little on the warm side and lacks the bling of a BOA system, the fit and performance won鈥檛 let you down. 鈥淸This is a] great all around mountain bike shoe for gravity-oriented folks that want traction while off the pedals,鈥� commented one tester from Hood River, Oregon.

Best Protection: Ride Concepts Tallac Mid BOA

Available sizes: US M 7 – 13

Pros and Cons
鈯� Excellent grip in all conditions
鈯� Mid-height design adds extra protection to ankle
鈯� Easy to adjust fit with BOA庐 system
鈯� Bulky

When Ride Concepts released these mid-high shoes into the wild last summer, there was much rejoicing from riders demanding a more robust solution for technical gravity riding. The surprisingly roomy mid-volume shoe features BOA鈥檚 PerformFit Wrap for a snug fit, and burly Cordura mesh upper with liberal amounts of D3O padding in the ankles, toe, heel, and insoles for bombproof impact resistance. A stiff EVA midsole helps reduce foot fatigue, and an outer sole crafted from RC鈥檚 Maxgrip rubber provides secure pedal grip and confident traction off the bike.

The mid-height upper offers greater support than a low-fit shoe, while the gusseted tongue keeps debris at bay like a champ. Surprisingly, the Cordura mesh breathes tolerably well, but the trade-off for all this added material is a much longer break-in period. If you have the patience for that, the reward is a glorious, comfortable fit that offers loads of confidence no matter how gnarly the trail or how much you鈥檙e off the bike scouting lines and sessioning techy features.

Best Road Shoes

Best Overall:听Specialized Torch 3.0

Available sizes: EU 36-49

Pros and Cons
鈯� Excellent weight
鈯� BOA Li2 dials
鈯� Hard wearing exterior
鈯� Cleat mounts aren’t adjustable

Road cycling shoe prices aren鈥檛 just creeping up鈥攖hey鈥檙e skyrocketing. Specialized is part of that trend, but the Torch 3.0 offers a refreshing exception. It鈥檚 not quite as performance-oriented as the S-Works Torch ($500), but you鈥檙e getting 90 to 95 percent of the performance for significantly less鈥攁nd with some surprising perks. The Torch 3.0 actually has a better BOA system. Both models use a dual-zone setup and the same pressure-optimized tongue cut, but the S-Works dial doesn鈥檛 pop for quick release. The Torch 3.0鈥檚 BOA Li2 dials, BOA鈥檚 best, make on/off much easier.

Elsewhere, the Torch 3.0 simplifies slightly. The upper is more uniform but still durable and easy to clean. The carbon sole is just as stiff, though slightly heavier and less detailed. It lacks cleat-mount adjustability鈥攂ut after thousands of foot scans, Specialized says you won鈥檛 miss it. (We didn鈥檛 during testing.) Bottom line: The Torch 3.0 delivers elite-level performance without the elite-level price.

Best Performance:听Shimano RC903S

Available sizes: 38-47

Pros and Cons
鈯� Supple, form-fitting upper
鈯� Hard to keep clean

Shozaburo Shimano would be proud to know the freewheel company he started in 1921 has grown to showcase a wide range of cycling components and gear for competitive and recreational riders alike, including high-performance cycling shoes like the RC903S, which falls within Shimano鈥檚 S-Phyre line.

Dual Boa metal dials lock a rider鈥檚 foot into the anti-twist heel cup with the help of the wrap-around upper and six points of retention over the front end of the foot. The carbon sole is strategically reinforced around the cleat for added power transfer while remaining compliant toward the heel for optimal stiffness鈥攔ated as 8/10 by our test team who altogether put more than 4,000 miles of riding in these shoes.

Best On a Budget: Fizik Tempo Powerstrap R5

Available sizes: EU 36-48

Pros and Cons
鈯� Impressive weight for price
鈯� Velcro powerstrap
鈯� Vertical volume in toe box
鈯� Non-adjustable cleat mount
鈯� Narrow fit

Budget road cycling shoes are a tough category鈥攎ost cut corners so severely they鈥檙e no fun to wear. One common compromise? BOA dials. The top-tier Li2 dials are great, but cheaper versions often can鈥檛 adjust both ways and don鈥檛 pop for quick release.

The Fizik Tempo Powerstrap R5 avoids those issues altogether. It uses the same lightweight, easy-to-adjust Powerstrap system found on Fizik鈥檚 higher-end Aeroweave model, and it outperforms many dual-BOA setups: It鈥檚 easy to adjust (even mid-ride), lightweight, and offers a snug fit with zero hotspots. The shoe is on the narrow side, typical of older Fizik models, but a tall toe box adds comfort. The carbon-reinforced nylon sole is shaped well enough to feel plenty stiff. The biggest downside: The cleat mount point is fixed and offers limited adjustability.

Still, for this price, we were willing to overlook that shortcoming. The Tempo R5 doesn鈥檛 feel cheap鈥攕kipping BOA is a smart move here, not an oversight.

Best Gravel Shoes

Best Overall: Giro Sector

Available sizes: EU 39 – 50

Pros and Cons
鈯� Lightweight
鈯� Quick drying
鈯� Responsively stiff
鈯� Pricey
鈯� Not ideal off the bike

The Giro Sector is our go-to riding shoe for all types of riding, from laps on our local trails to all-day gravel adventures to XC racing. They offer a nice balance of comfort and stiffness to keep the feet remarkably comfortable regardless of how hard you鈥檙e pedaling. The Sector features a one-piece synchwire material upper, dual BOA庐 adjustment, reinforced toe and heel, and a fairly stiff carbon-composite sole (for pedalling efficiency) with a dual injected rubber outsole with impressively tall lugs for off-the bike traction and pre drilled toe spike mounts.

While the Sector is lightweight and adequately ventilated, it is not the lightest on the market, but it鈥檚 by no means portly either. That being said, it gets extra points in comfort, and despite the fragile appearance of the upper, the shoe is surprisingly durable and robust; they show very minimal signs of wear despite extensive testing. If you are a one shoe do-it-all household, we highly recommend the Sector, although it鈥檚 happiest pedaling hard.

Best Performance: Sidi Physis

Available sizes: EU 36 – 50

Pros and Cons
鈯� Wide toe box
鈯� Excellent power transfer
鈯� Expensive
鈯� Walkability

Brutally efficient and decadently comfortable aren鈥檛 descriptive phrases that typically go together. But if you鈥檙e describing Sidi鈥檚 new Physis shoes, then you鈥檝e pretty much hit the nail on the head. But to tweak an old Keith Bontrager maxim鈥攂rutally efficient, decadently comfortable, cheap鈥ick two鈥攂ecause at $400, these ain鈥檛 cheap.

But what you get is what you pay for: Sidi鈥檚 legendary Italian craftsmanship mated to modern footwear ergonomics. With the Physis, you get a phenomenally-fitting and well ventilated dual density TPU upper that errs on the roomy side (consider sizing down a half size for Sidi鈥檚 legendary glove-like feel while still enjoying the roomy forefoot volume of the Millenium fit), secured with Sidi鈥檚 proprietary BOA庐 type system and their patented Tension Strap over the instep, mated to a X2FC carbon sole so stiff that you might as well be wearing two-by-four planks with a footbed strapped to your feet. Only a two-by-four never screamed performance the way these do; rest assured that every single watt you generate is going right into your pedals. Other details: rubber dimples in the heel cup for a more secure fit. Minimalist abrasion/impact guards around the toe box and heel. Threaded holes at the toes for spikes (CX anyone?).

In essence, these are Ferraris for your feet, but are purpose built for performance gravel and XC riding; if your ride involves any halfway serious hike-a-biking, look elsewhere. But if you鈥檙e chasing podiums or KOMs, these are just what the doctor ordered.

How To Choose Bike Shoes

Cycling shoes can be segmented into categories based on their intended use and cleat interface.

Cleats/Clipless Shoes

Road cycling shoes are typically compatible with composite-based, three-bolt style cleats like Shimano鈥檚 SPD-SL and Look Delta/Keo. These cleats offer a high amount of retention and have a greater surface area to maximize stability and power transfer per pedal stroke, which is ideal for road cycling. However, the cleats are often exposed and provide poor walkability.

Gravel shoes use a two-bolt pattern for use with cleats like Shimano鈥檚 SPD. Two-bolt cleats are generally smaller and made of metal, offering greater durability for walking on uneven surfaces.

Flats

More and more mountain bikers are ditching clipless bike shoes in favor of flats, shoes with sticky rubber soles that offer good grip on pedals and don鈥檛 require you to clip in/out of pedals. Many experienced riders and downhillers who navigate high-consequence terrain prefer flats because they allow you to bail off your bike more easily.

Flat shoes are also better choices for novice riders, since they don鈥檛 come with a learning curve (getting the hang of clipless shoes and cleats can be tricky). The downside to flats is they don鈥檛 offer the same power transfer as clipless shoes.

Budget Versus Performance Cycling Shoes

Don鈥檛 disregard your budget. Bike shoes can be exorbitantly expensive, especially on the high-performance end of the spectrum. If you鈥檙e looking to get into racing, the higher price tag might be worth it for every additional watt of power. If you鈥檙e not racing, we recommend leaning to the more comfortable end of the spectrum, rather than trying to maximize stiffness and performance; these shoes generally come with more palatable price tags.

Materials

Road biking shoes feature lightweight soles made up of carbon or composite materials that blend stiffness and compliance to best suit the rider鈥檚 needs. A stiffer sole generally provides higher power transfer; a more compliant shoe flexes more and provides a more comfortable ride, but often equates to more power loss.

Gravel and mountain bike shoes add tread around the sole to improve walkability and stability.

Shoe uppers will consist of a microfiber or knit material with varying amounts of suppleness, ventilation and foot/ankle support. Microfiber uppers tend to provide more durability and support, while knit uppers have a greater amount of ventilation and suppleness.

How Should Bike Shoes Fit?

Fit is critical in a cycling shoe and directly impacts performance. If you can, try before you buy. Your local bike shop may have a selection of bike shoes and employees with a wealth of experience to help you find the right fit. Call around to see what鈥檚 available and visit your local bike shop to get a real feel for the shoes before you commit.

How We Test Bike Shoes

• Number of products tested: 21
• Number of Testers: 8
• Number of miles collectively ridden during testing: 12,000
• Biggest ride: 110 miles

Our group of testers, made up of men and women across the country and bike industry experts like and , put 21 pairs of the year鈥檚 newest road, gravel, and mountain bike shoes to the test on various rides, races, and trails. Some testers assessed a shoe鈥檚 performance while preparing for marquee road and gravel events, while others set out to determine a shoe鈥檚 comfort and versatility on their weekly coffee ride.

Our primary testing ground for MTB shoes was mountain biking mecca Hood River, Oregon, where we assessed a shoe鈥檚 performance on everything from technical, muddy trails to mellow, meandering cruisers. We graded each pair of shoes we tested on characteristics like stiffness, weight, comfort, and functionality. The shoes on this list impressed our crew in all departments.

Meet Our Lead Testers

Nikki Rohan has been mountain biking for close to 20 years, and testing mountain biking gear for Pinkbike for almost a decade. She resides in Hood River, Oregon, with her husband, two teenagers, a 1-year-old, two dogs, and a grumpy cat. When she is not working, cooking, or parenting, you will find her biking on the local trails.

David Kennedy has been riding road and gravel bikes for 15 years and has been writing about the latest tech in the sport since 2017. He鈥檚 toed the line at premier road and gravel events nationwide, including the Belgian Waffle Ride San Diego and the Unbound 200. When he鈥檚 not writing or riding, he鈥檚 pulling apart bikes at his local shop and connecting with the diverse cycling community around his hometown of Los Angeles.

听is a senior tech editor at Velo. He hails from the Pacific Northwest but when it鈥檚 time to ride, hot and dry is better than cold and wet. He will happily talk for hours about the minutiae of cycling tech but understands most people just want things to work. He is a road cyclist at heart and doesn鈥檛 care much if those roads are paved, dirt, or digital. Although he rarely races, if you ask him to ride from sunrise to sunset, and beyond, the answer is always yes.

More Bike Gear Reviews

The Best Road Bikes of the Year
The Best Gravel Bikes of 2025
The Best Bike Helmets for Road, Gravel, and Trail Riding

The post The 9 Best Bike Shoes for Road, Gravel, and Trail Rides (2025) appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

When I was younger I had a high-adrenaline running playlist that I carefully curated to pump up my heart rate: Arctic Monkeys, Jay-Z, Rage Against the Machine. As my preference shifted toward podcasts, I seized the opportunity to explore ideas while chasing my weekly mileage goals. What remained constant was my appreciation for the best sports earbuds on the market. I鈥檝e tested dozens of pairs, ranging from wired to wireless, with features like active noise cancellation and customizable tap-activated controls. Here are the seven sport earbuds we liked best, whether indoors or out, on land or in the water, on city sidewalks or remote trails.

Update July 2025: We鈥檝e tested the best new sport earbuds tailored to every activity, awarding a place to four new models鈥攊ncluding our new best overall pick, the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2鈥攁nd updated prices and availability for all.

At a Glance

• • Best All-Around:听
  • Best High-Fidelity:听
  • Best for Runners:听
  • Best Open-Ear:听
  • Killer Value:听
  • Best for Water:听
  • Most Innovative:听
  • The Hottest Trend in Sport Earbuds
  • How to Choose Earbuds
  • How We Test

Best All-Around

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2

Pros and Cons
鈯�听 Secure fit and comfort
鈯�听 Push buttons that you control
鈯�听 Too trebly at times
鈯�听 Heart-rate device pairing takes some work

The second generation of the Powerbeats Pro is a big step up from the first, and it quickly gained go-to status for every member of our test team. 鈥淎ctual buttons you can feel and click, paired with rich sound, comfy fit, and a microphone that canceled the noise of the windstorm I was walking through while talking on the phone? Wow,鈥� enthused one tester.

This model is loaded with features not seen on the first鈥攏otably active noise cancellation (ANC) and heart-rate monitoring capability. Battery life is a superb 10 hours on a charge, which adds to their everyday-wear appeal. The case, which now allows wireless charging, supplies a total of 45 hours before you need a plug-in.

As with everything Beats (and parent company Apple), the acoustics shine: Adaptive EQ on the Pro 2 reads the environmental factors around you and adjusts the frequencies in your music for optimal sound. That sound is full and rich, without too much bass鈥攂ut a bit too harsh on the treble end for some testers.

The ANC in the Pro 2 shows just how far that tech has come. 鈥淣oise canceling made the city disappear until I had to cross traffic, then鈥攑op!鈥攆ull awareness,鈥� one tester noted. We also appreciated the push-button controls, which not only provide a satisfying haptic response so you know when the button has been pushed, but also eliminate accidental pauses when you brush your finger against the earbud (a huge annoyance for many users). The buttons also make it easy to toggle from one connected device to another without swiping to your Bluetooth controls, and they can even be pressed with a tilt against your shoulder, which comes in handy in the kitchen or whenever both hands are occupied.

The IPX4 rating stands up well to sweat and rain, and the lighter profile (vis a vis the first gen) and soft rubbery coating makes them comfortable through long hours of use. The flexy ear hooks鈥攐ne of the big attractions for any athlete鈥攁re extremely well designed, fitting each tester鈥檚 ears perfectly and not budging a millimeter during HIIT workouts. Even the new color palette is alluring, with new orange and purple options. All told, the Powerbeats Pro 2 represent the state of the art in active-user earbuds. As one tester reported, they 鈥渢ransition seamlessly from workout to travel to urban navigation.鈥�

Best for Audiophiles

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 In-Ear True Wireless Earbuds

Pros and Cons
鈯�听Pristine sound quality
鈯�听Non-frustrating touch controls
鈯�听Not cheap

鈥淭he most audiophile worthy of all the earbuds I鈥檝e tested,鈥� one of our veteran reviewers gushed after a month with the Pi8s. Through hours of listening sessions on planes, on trails, on couches, and on city sidewalks, this was the pair that invariably impressed everyone on our test team, with their 鈥渋ncredibly balanced and musical鈥� sound quality.

The $400 price鈥�$150 above Apple鈥檚 ubiquitous AirPod Pros and $100 north of the Bose QuietComfort Ultras鈥攎eans you have to be serious about your music, and about taking good care of them. They鈥檙e IP54-rated, able to handle sweat and a misty rain, but are not the pair you want to bring to the gym each day. While the four sizes of ear tips help them sit pretty securely and comfortably, they will fall out on occasion. All the same, we won鈥檛 discourage you from ever bringing them on a run on a sunny day, where their high-fidelity clarity is sure to put a little more oomph in your step.

The active noise cancellation on the Pi8s is excellent, similar to that on the Bose QCII, with touch controls for toggling between on, off, and transparency mode. The touch controls work better than in most earbuds we鈥檝e seen, with a satisfying light noise that鈥檚 akin to a mouse click. We also love the pearlescent finish on the outer surface of the Pi8s, which come in four colors. A robust companion app lets you turn off the touch controls and has a five-band equalizer so you can tweak the sound profile to your liking. Battery life here is an average 6.5 hours, and the charging case holds two additional charges (13.5 hours).

Another nice feature is something called retransmission. This allows you to use the included USB-C-to-3.5mm cord to plug the unit鈥檚 charging case into an external device like an in-flight entertainment system and the case will send the signal into the buds, so you鈥檙e not stuck listening on that plastic-wrapped pair the flight attendants hand out with the peanuts.

One reviewer reported, 鈥淚 listened to an album with two double basses鈥斺�淏ut Who鈥檚 Gonna Play the Melody?鈥� by Christian McBride and Edgar Meyer鈥攁nd I could hear their fingers and the pull of the bow on the strings in ways I hadn鈥檛 before.鈥� That鈥檚 a good example of what makes these shine like few have before them.

Best for Runners

Shokz OpenFit2

Pros and Cons
鈯�听Great volume despite open ear design
鈯�听Long battery life
鈯�听Sound not as rich as high-end models
鈯�听Might not fit large ears

鈥淪o comfortable, I forgot I was wearing them,鈥� said one fan of the latest release from Shokz. This, and the smart minimalist design of the ear hooks, made them our favorite trail companions this year鈥攐n both shorter runs and longer hikes. And they鈥檙e another entry in the fast-improving open-ear category.

One distance runner in our test group said, 鈥淭hese are my new favorite for running: no distracting foot-thudding sounds resonating through an earbud, no whooshy wind sounds, and full awareness of the aggro downhill bro bombing up behind you.鈥�

The soft rubber on the ear hooks, combined with the open design, make them one of the most comfortable to wear for long hours鈥攁nd the OpenFit 2 will play for up to 11 hours per charge and 48 hours from the charging case.

It鈥檚 clear that Shokz put a lot of thought into this model. The handy companion app allows you to equalize treble and bass or customize the controls鈥攂oth push-button and touch can be turned on or off. Where the Bose Ultra has one speaker, this one comes with a pair of speakers that get more volume into your ears, making them louder than Bose, if a touch less refined. Like the Bose Ultra, they have multipoint pairing so you can switch between devices with a single push or tap.

IP55 water resistance is a notch higher than most models here, keeping water and dust at bay. And the nicely compact case and overall superlight package make them even more appealing for runners with limited pocket space.

Best Open Ear

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

Pros and Cons
鈯�听Deceptively rich sound
鈯�听Impressive companion app
鈯�听Microphones were subpar
鈯�听Bass is underwhelming

When I first saw this newfangled design鈥攁 mini speaker held in place by clamping around the side of your ear 鈥擨 didn鈥檛 know what the Bose people were thinking. Is this an earbud or jewelry? Turns out, they put plenty of thought into these surprisingly powerful earbuds. The Ultra Open Ears, small and featherlight as they are, somehow grab onto your ear and stay there even in high-impact sprints or multi-position yoga鈥攁ll while churning out the dynamic blend of sound you鈥檇 expect from Bose.

For audiophiles, the ongoing problem with open designs has been inadequate volume reaching our eardrums鈥攚e鈥檝e enjoyed them for podcasts, but for music, not so much. By shifting the design, Bose has managed to get the speaker a bit closer to the ear canal, while also leaving an ample gap for ambient sounds to get in. Which, of course, is the whole idea: enjoy your audio while also hearing that tourist on an e-bike coming up from behind.

Bose鈥檚 excellent app goes a long way toward making this possible. An easy-to-adjust equalizer lets you dial in the bass, mids, and treble to your exact preferences. The app also has an Immersive Audio setting that shifts the sound profile from left to right as your head moves around so it feels like the sound is coming from the same source the whole time. One tester called it 鈥渄ownright supernatural, making music sound like it鈥檚 coming from a speaker somewhere around you.鈥�

The IPX4 rating gives it good water resistance, whileand the seven-hour battery life (total of 48 in the case) is only average,good and (although immersive mode will reduce this). (If you’re looking for longer battery life in an open-ear model, consider the , which goes for 12 hours per charge.When we want crazy long battery life, we turn to , which run for 38 hours on a single charge.)

For runs, walks, and bike rides, testers found the extra awareness of their surroundings worth the trade-off in volume, which probably isn鈥檛 the best thing for your ears in the first place. Open designs will never provide the same fullness for music-philes as in-ear, but nothing before this has come so close.

鈥淓ven my wife, who is allergic to trendy tech, was won over,鈥� said one user.

Killer Value

Back Bay FirstClass 50

听Currently Sold Out

Pros and Cons
鈯�听Excellent noise canceling
鈯�听Robust sound quality
鈯�听Slipped out of some users鈥� ears
鈯�听Touch controls aren鈥檛 the most intuitive

鈥淪eriously: $40,鈥� said our Aspen-based tester. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 less than a hamburger in this town.鈥� While we don鈥檛 envy those restaurant prices, we all concurred that the Back Bay FirstClass 50 is one of the best sport earbuds for the price.

Boston-based Back Bay has created something like a day-for-night version of Apple鈥檚 AirPods: similar size and shape but in black, and with sound quality that comes eerily close to that perennially pricey fave. Since Back Bay cuts out a lot of costs by selling straight to consumers, their quality products鈥攁ll certified carbon-neutral, to boot鈥攄on鈥檛 bear any of the marks of cheapness, unlike many similarly priced items.

Even at the bargain price, they deliver excellent sound quality and also offer active noise canceling. Seriously: One itinerant tester said, 鈥淪itting in the noisiest seat on the aircraft鈥攁ft of the wing, and in front of two worked-up toddlers鈥擨 could make it all disappear with a click.鈥� The company claims these earbuds block 97% of noise. We鈥檙e not sure how that鈥檚 possible, but they do the job as well as almost anything we鈥檝e put to the test for a fraction of the price.

While battery life is an average five hours per charge (with 25 hours overall in the case), they offer a 15-minute quick charge to add two hours of playtime. The IPX5 water protection keeps them going in a storm, and while the fit isn鈥檛 as secure as others in this review, they one-up AirPods in this regard by adding rubber tips to help them stay secure.

Best for Water

H2O Audio TRI 2 Pro

Pros and Cons
鈯�听Totally waterproof
鈯�听Onboard memory
鈯�听Song transfer is slow
鈯�听Can cause tickling

Have you harbored dreams of funneling techno into your auditory nerve while windsurfing on San Francisco Bay, then voice-commanding to switch over to an incoming business call? One member of our review crew put three models of waterproof earbuds through this very test and, while the process stands to be improved through future innovations, it worked fairly well, with the TRI 2 Pro coming out on top.

H2O Audio has been selling good products for swimmers and the like for years鈥攊t takes a special approach, not least because they need to be IPX8, able to go 12 feet underwater for as long as you want them to鈥攍ike this model can. And, of course, a Bluetooth signal won鈥檛 travel under the waves with you, so tracks need to be stored locally, either on a waterproof MP3 player or an even better solution, like this unit鈥檚 8GB of onboard memory that can store 130 hours of tracks. (It can move your own mp3 files over or 鈥渞ecord鈥� music from a streaming service like Spotify, though this is a slow process.)

The TRI 2 Pros employ bone conduction technology, which makes them great for podcasts while out on a run or bike ride, but a little less ideal when trying to rock out in said open-air activities: Then they can start to tickle. Still, H2O Audio and other companies are making these units sound better every year. And it鈥檚 underwater that they really shine: When you use the included earplugs to neutralize the water noise in your ears, it鈥檚 surprising how smooth music sounds, and at much more moderate volumes. They鈥檙e a minor godsend for lap swimmers, snorkelers, and triathletes (presumably the core audience for the Tri line) who like to enhance their life aquatic by playing their favorite symphony or devouring an audiobook. The headset will play for up to nine hours in Bluetooth mode and six hours in memory mode and comes with a zip case (which is rather bulky) that provides two and a half refills.

Back to our windsurfer: The TRI 2 Pro worked under a helmet (and this success was replicated on the ski slopes), which also secured them in the event of a fall. Playing tunes when the wind was low was enjoyable, but in high wind it was a challenge: 鈥淚 could hear the music, but the output of the headphones had to compete with the roar of wind in my ear canals. It鈥檚 simply a matter of physics.鈥� This also meant the tester鈥檚 hopes of 鈥渢urning sales meetings into sails meetings鈥� by joining conference calls were largely dashed. Listening worked fine, but the microphone couldn鈥檛 pick up his voice from deep inside his helmet. Maybe one day.

Most Innovative

Denon PerL True Wireless Earbuds

Pros and Cons
鈯�听Rich, dynamic sound
鈯�听Impressive app
鈯�听Customizable sound profile
鈯�听Chunky size

鈥淓ach product is hand-tuned by our sound master,鈥� Denon says of the PerLs, and while we don鈥檛 know exactly what that means, it speaks to the Japanese DNA in these premium-sounding buds. Take the accompanying software, for instance: The first thing you do with these wireless buds is download an app that streams a series of sounds and frequencies into your ears to measure how you hear, then creates a personalized profile that transforms how good music sounds. It鈥檚 one of the best uses of a headphone app we鈥檝e seen.

The PerLs came across as lively but not piercing on the high end, with realism and verve. There鈥檚 even a high-gain option on the app that boosts volume for quiet recordings, which one tester called 鈥渁 welcome feature that I would love to see in a lot of sometimes anemic Bluetooth earbuds.鈥� These capabilities are made possible by a series of ultra-sensitive microphones, which probably explains their rather enormous size鈥攐ne reviewer called them 鈥渟harp-edged Alka-Seltzer tablet earbud bodies鈥� and noted, 鈥淚 had to remove the supplied fin attachment before these felt okay.鈥�

Others liked the fit and found them great for running, where they kept the adrenaline flowing with some of the best full-on rocking-out sound in the test. 鈥淪t. Vincent and Spoon sounded like I was listening to vinyl,鈥� one tester said. The active noise cancellation is decent, the six hours of battery is average (with two more charges from the case), and an IPX4 rating means they can handle a light rain. Given the quality and attention to detail, we consider these a true bargain at $139 or less.

The Hottest Trend in Sport Earbuds

This year, for the first time in our testing history, open earbud models outnumbered traditional in-ear ones among our test candidates. The open design allows you to hear far more of what鈥檚 going on around you, and I鈥檝e been slow to take a liking to them. There鈥檚 no doubt that they make a lot of sense for people who run along the roadside or, even more so, cyclists who go anywhere near cars鈥攇enerally a very bad time to be canceling the noise around you.

Since I live in the desert and rarely pass another living soul on the trails, I don鈥檛 prioritize hearing what鈥檚 going on around me, and open earbuds will always be challenged to sound as good, or as loud, when they鈥檙e handicapped by having to reach your hearing by alternative methods. So for music, they鈥檙e not my favorite; for the spoken word, I鈥檝e learned to appreciate them.

During this year鈥檚 tests, one of my fellow reviewers said he appreciated that the open design allowed him to hear not just passing cars but songbirds. Which sent me into a brief panic: Am I missing all the birdsongs? Sadly, there aren鈥檛 a lot of birds on my trail, but this summer when I鈥檓 hiking above 10,000 feet and the dark-eyed juncos are chirping in the high branches, I鈥檒l be putting that theory to the test.

Open earbuds work in one of two ways: either with the transmitter positioned near your ear canal but not in it (the , a previous winner, is a prime example) or through bone conduction (found in the , named Best for Water this season), which bypasses your eardrum, sending sound directly to your inner ear by way of your skull bones. More recently, a new design has popped up, which I refer to as the clip-on earring style: these fall into the first category but use a more diminutive design that grabs onto the lower part of your ear. The that won the category this summer is one example, but lower-priced models from and use the same concept, all with good results鈥攎eaning they manage to get enough clear sound into my ears that I enjoy hearing music on them.

In the meantime, many closed-ear models these days (see ) let you employ a transparency (or awareness) mode that enhances ambient sound. This can be a nice in-between solution if your need for awareness isn鈥檛 so much life-and-death as it is a courtesy to the runner or biker 鈥渙n your left.鈥�

How to Choose Earbuds

Earbuds are more like shoes than most other gear categories: so much depends on the right fit. What comfortably fits one person鈥檚 ears may not suit another鈥檚, and there鈥檚 more to it than size. The internal anatomy of the ear makes certain designs actually sound better to one person than the next. If you can鈥檛 try them out at a store or borrow them from a friend, it may be best to buy them from a retailer with a good return policy. Once you have them in hand, do some real-world tests with the different tip sizes, and trade them in if you aren鈥檛 in love.

If you want to get serious about the perfect fit, consider aftermarket foam eartips, like听. In addition to helping with a more secure fit, they provide passive noise isolation, which can improve the experience with both ANC-equipped and ANC-less earbuds. Should fit issues persist, consider a model with behind-the-ear hooks like the听.

Also give some thought to which features do it for you: Some people like sleek touch controls, others prefer old-school push buttons; some like to tap for quick pausing, others would rather forgo that feature and pull out one bud to ask for directions, so as to avoid the annoyance of unwanted pauses every time your fingers go near them. And if you live in a rainy climate, be sure to choose ones with an听听ending in 4 or higher (as all the models here do).

Finally, be aware that there are more specialized designs emerging and getting better each year鈥搇ike these earbuds for听, others for听, and听听for those who want to stay more tuned in to their surroundings.

Also see: How to Clean Your Earbuds

How We Test Sport Earbuds

• Hours of Testing:听419
• Test Environments:听Running, hiking, dog walking, cycling, windsurfing, swimming, skiing, rock climbing, HIIT workouts, plane rides, gardening, shoveling gravel, grocery shopping, making dinner, car camping, conference calls, video calls, video streaming, noisy coffee shops
• Highest Elevation:听10,152 feet, Leadville, Colorado
• Lowest Elevation:听5 feet underwater in Lake Pleasant, Arizona
• Most Listened-To Tracks:听Bon Iver: 鈥淒ijon,鈥� Charli xcx featuring BB Tricks: 鈥淐lub Classics,鈥� Childish Gambino: 鈥淟ithonia,鈥� Drugdealer and Kim Bollinger: 鈥淧ictures of You,鈥� Flock of Dimes: 鈥淒ay One,鈥� Fontaines D.C.: 鈥淔avourite,鈥� J Dilla: 鈥淲orkinonit,鈥� Kenya Grace: 鈥淪trangers,鈥� The Hold Steady: 鈥淪tuck Between Stations,鈥� Magdalena Bay: 鈥淚mage,鈥� Prince: 鈥淓lectric Chair,鈥� Puentes: 鈥淎mor y Unidad,鈥� Kathleen Smith: 鈥淚 Can See for Miles,鈥� Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross: 鈥淐hallengers鈥�

The first thing we do with any earbuds, headphones, or speakers is attempt to pair them with our phones without consulting the user manual: the quicker, more intuitive, and easier the Bluetooth setup, the more points scored. Then we put them through rigorous hours of testing doing the kinds of things听国产吃瓜黑料听readers do鈥攆rom dog walks to HIIT workouts, from fireside listening to our day jobs, which for one of us is at the local woodworking shop. Our testers, who range in location from Alaska to Berkeley to Aspen to Santa Fe to New York City, spent hours in them, bouncing up and down on trails, treadmills, and trains.

Our team turns in reports on each product tested, providing a score from 1 to 10 for five different measures: sound quality, pairing and connectivity, fit and comfort, rain and drop protection, and user friendliness. Scores are averaged, with more weight given to sound quality and (knowing our audience) how well they stand up to the elements. Note: Battery life estimates in these reviews are based on manufacturer specs; it鈥檚 difficult to confirm those numbers, given the time involved and variances among user habits (different volumes, different uses, different functions enabled). Actual results may be 10 to 20 percent lower, judging from averages experienced in general testing.

Meet Our Lead Tester

Will Palmer has been testing gear for 21 years for 国产吃瓜黑料, where he was managing editor and copy chief for nine years. Based in Santa Fe, he has been a runner since 1984, and while the mile counts have decreased over the years, he鈥檚 kept motivated to head out the door on the hottest, coldest, and wettest days by the opportunity to test the best new products鈥攁nd to commune with the junipers and pi帽ons.

The post The 7 Best Sport Earbuds (Summer 2025) appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

We test a lot of gear here at 国产吃瓜黑料, and we have the data to prove it. For the 2025 Summer Gear Guide on 国产吃瓜黑料, , and , our gear editors, category managers, and testers put more than 800 products through many months of rigorous field testing.

After adding hundreds (and in some cases, thousands) of collective miles on each shoe, watch, bike, etc., we collected testers鈥� written feedback, tallied scores, and hand-picked 377 products across 66 categories鈥攆rom to running shoes to mountain bikes and more鈥攖o include in our 鈥渂est of鈥� lists. We鈥檝e spent years tweaking and perfecting our testing process and stand behind the performance of every one of these products.

No amount of advertising dollars can buy brands a spot on our gear lists. (This should go without saying, but we鈥檒l play the record on repeat until it sinks in.) To be included in 国产吃瓜黑料鈥檚 Gear Guide, a product has to perform and impress in the real world, plain and simple. Gear that doesn鈥檛 live up to the challenge doesn鈥檛 make the cut, while gear that blows the socks off our savvy testers earns a special nod: our coveted Editors鈥� Choice award.

This season, just eight of the 800-plus products tested earned this distinction. These pieces either demonstrated best-in-class performance (applause for the Trek Slash+ eMTB), showcased exciting new technology (see the Garmin InReach Messenger), or have reinvented the wheel for classic products (props to the Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft sleeping pad).

While only seven products earned our Editors’ Choice award, there were plenty of others that rose above the competition in their respective categories. You鈥檒l find those items listed here, too. If thoroughly vetted, top-tier gear is what you鈥檙e after, keep reading.

At a Glance

• Editors鈥� Choice Satellite Messenger: Garmin InReach($500)
• Editors鈥� Choice Electric MTB: Trek Slash+ ($13,200)
• Editors鈥� Choice Sleeping Pad: Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft ($240-260)
• Editors鈥� Choice Trail MTB: Canyon Spectral ($5,799)
• Editors鈥� Choice Road Bike: Enve Melee ($4,800)
• Editors鈥� Choice Gravel Bike: Specialized Crux DSW ($2,600)
• Editors鈥� Choice Enduro MTB: Trek Slash ($10,300)
• More Top-Performing Gear听

Editors鈥� Choice Satellite Messenger

Garmin InReach Messenger Plus

Improvements in satellite messaging tech tend to be slow and incremental, but the Messenger Plus takes a huge leap forward in backcountry communication. It鈥檚 the first such device to be able to send photos and voice memos. And long missives, historically broken up into bite-sized messages over a few minutes, are sent in mere seconds thanks to significant hardware and software upgrades from previous iterations. All this, and the Messenger Plus still weighs a scant 4.1 ounces in the form of a tiny, 3.1-by-2.5-by-0.9 inch puck.

Editors鈥� Choice Electric MTB

Trek Slash+

Trek electrified the Slash, and we are obsessed. The decently powerful motor and impressive battery range paired with a comfortable suspension makes this a winning build. While the price is on the high side for the electric mountain bike category, the joy of riding this thing is worth it. It powers up hills, and coasts on descents, all the while keeping you stable and strong. The wide range of adjustments mean you can customize it to your liking. Read more.

Editors鈥� Choice Sleeping Pad

Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft

TAR鈥檚 NeoLoft is the first sleeping pad to bring true car camping comfort into the backcountry. Thanks to the brand鈥檚 clever use of triangular, air-filled chambers and a heat-reflective coating for insulation, it鈥檚 able to keep the weight of this pad down to a respectable 25 ounces (in regular) and a packed size of just 5.7-by-9.5 inches. But with a raised 鈥済uard rail鈥� around the perimeter, stiff, 4.6-inch-thick sidewalls to provide structure, and a soft, stretchy knit polyester face fabric, this pad will keep even the heaviest side-sleepers snoozing through the night.

Editors鈥� Choice Trail MTB

Canyon Spectral

At home on a broad range of trails, the Canyon Spectral surprised us with its snappy energy. We鈥檇 recommend this trail bike to any kind of rider for its versatility, from its supportive suspension on climbs and descents to its convenient in-frame storage that can stash a tube and tire lever. Bonus points for the flip chain on the chainstay that can accommodate dual 29-inch wheels or mixed wheels. Read more.

Editors鈥� Choice Road Bike

Enve Melee

The Melee is Enve鈥檚 first production bike that isn鈥檛 custom, and we dig it. But with a wide range of sizes and drivetrain choices, it鈥檚 still semi customizable. Lightweight and aerodynamically optimised, it鈥檚 designed to go anywhere a modern road cyclist wants to go. By placing the rider in a slightly upright position, it鈥檚 both comfortable and ready to respond. Read more.

Editors鈥� Choice Gravel Bike

Specialized Crux DSW

Don鈥檛 write off this premium gravel bike just because it has an alloy frame. Specialized claims that at 1,399 grams for a 56 centimeter frame, the Crux DSW is the lightest aluminum gravel bike frame ever made. That鈥檚 about one pound more than most traditional carbon gravel bikes. The geometry, cable routing, and seat post are all relatively simple and straightforward, which works in this bike鈥檚 favor, making it an accessible option for both beginners and spec heads. As for its handling, we felt spry and encouraged to go faster on tight singletrack. Read more.

Editors鈥� Choice Enduro MTB

Trek Slash

Typically known for playing it safe, Trek pushed the envelope this year with this year鈥檚 Slash. It features a high pivot layout (the main pivot is placed above the top of the chainring and the rear axle) that can mow through chunky sections of trail but also stay dialed in tight and slow spots. Jumping felt natural, intuitive, fun, and energetic, especially on smaller side hits and natural doubles. Overall, its versatile geometry, persistence on uphills, and speed on downhills won our hearts. Read more.

Best Road Running Shoe

Asics Novablast 5

The Novablast 5 impressed our editors with its fun, versatile performance and superior cushioning-to-weight ratio. Its new midsole material delivered a buttery smooth ride that was simultaneously plush and energetic underfoot. The wide base kept it stable during long runs, and the light weight and responsive foam made it nimble enough to hold its own during uptempo efforts. Almost anyone can feel comfortable during nearly any run in the NovaBlast 5, making it our top pick. Read more.

Best Trail Running Shoe

Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide

We were initially leery of this funky-looking shoe with a wavy sole and huge stack height (41鈥�35 mm) topped by ankle-deep sidewalls, but the Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide delivered a surprising blend of cushioning, stability, and responsiveness. The shoe employs a chassis of firmer foam around the perimeter to reduce tipping, while a core of soft and bouncy PEBA/EVA blend made the ride comfortable and springy. Underneath, the wavy indents in the sole actually worked, morphing over uneven surfaces and keeping the ride smooth and supportive on nearly every terrain. The Ultra Glide was so much fun we found ourselves reaching for it more often than any other shoe in the test, making it easy to name as our all-around favorite. Read more.

Best Sports Watch

Garmin Enduro 3

Our editors called the Garmin Enduro 3 one of the best sports watches we鈥檝e ever tested thanks to its wealth of features, big (51 mm) screen, light weight, and phenomenal battery life. The time between charges stood out most: with solar charging it can last up to 90 days of general use, and 320 hours (that鈥檚 13+ days) of GPS tracking鈥攚e often went for more than a month without needing to charge, using the watch 24/7 with about an hour of activity tracking per day. We never found an sport it didn鈥檛 have a tracking mode for (it even has rugby, and wakeboarding), and the analysis of metrics like training readiness were clear and useful. The Enduro 3 also has plenty of space for downloading maps or songs, the interface for tasks like creating custom screens is intuitive, and the strap was the most comfortable and effective we鈥檝e found. Read more.

Best Sport Earbuds

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds

The Bose QuietComfort emerged as our all-around favorite sport earbuds with their understated, competent performance. The earbuds deliver Bose鈥檚 signature smooth, warm, and balanced sound, active noise cancellation, and an above-average battery life (8.5 hours with ANC on). Testers also appreciated their secure fit while working out, and the easy-to-use app that let you modify touch controls or enable voice commands. The Bluetooth Multipoint feature let us connect a phone and a laptop at the same time, without needing to fuss with Bluetooth settings every time, and the reasonable price sealed the all-around best award. Read more.

Headlamp with the Best Features

Coast RL35R Headlamp

If you鈥檝e ever ski-toured at night or tackled a pre-dawn summit, you鈥檒l know the pain of pulling off thick gloves and fumbling with a headlamp while moving at speeds or holding onto a rope. The RL35R headlamp solves that with its clever voice-activated functionality, which allows you to turn the headlamp on and off, swap between beams, brightness settings, and colors. And with a powerful 1100-lumen beam, red, blue, and green light modes, and an extendable battery for stashing in your coat, the RL35R can handle the job in nearly any climate.

Best Men鈥檚 Rain Shell

Helly Hansen Verglas Infinity Shell Jacket 2.0

Finding a hardshell that can stand up to heavy rainstorms and driving snow while still being breathable and not weighing you down is a bit of a pipe dream, but Helly Hansen鈥檚 Verglas Infinity 2.0 is the closest we鈥檝e ever tested. Helly Hansen鈥檚 proprietary three-layer shell proved positively impenetrable over a season of testing, including several spring snowstorms while ski-touring. And thanks to new weight-shaving measures, the jacket clocks in at under a pound鈥攁 respectable burden for a quiver-killer.

Best Women鈥檚 Hiking Boot

La Sportiva Aequilibrium Hike GTX

The Aequilibrium Hike GTX is a rare boot capable of handling up to 40-pound loads in mountainous terrain while still feeling light and flexible enough for casual dayhikes. Sturdy mountain chops come courtesy of a resilient PU foam midsole with a polypropylene stiffener and abrasion-resistant welts and fabric at the toe and heel. It鈥檚 counterbalanced by a PU-injected rubber outsole that felt bouncy on hard-packed trail and a high, stretchy ankle that resembles a neoprene sock, keeps dirt and gravel out, and doesn鈥檛 chafe over long miles.

Best Car Camping Tent

Nemo Aurora Highrise 4

As a temporary shelter, we usually expect some level of discomfort from a tent. But the Aurora Highrise 4 impressed us with its supreme livability. When Nemo says four-person, they really mean it: A family of four slept comfortably inside its 75-inch peak height and 62.5-square-foot floor area, and stored their gear within two generous 19.5-square-foot vestibules. Steep sidewalls create even more headroom, so much that our 6-foot-2 tester could stand upright and move around freely. Doors on either side allow easy in-and-out access, and setting up two base poles and two cross poles was a breeze even for first-timers. Small details make a huge difference, like the canopy pocket for diffusing light at night and the slightly opaque mesh windows that offer shade. We could easily camp in the Aurora Highrise all summer. Read more.

Best Camping Sleeping Pad

Nemo Roamer Double Sleeping Pad

Nemo gets double the accolades when it comes to car camping gear. The Roamer Double Sleeping Pad gave us the best nights of sleep during our testing period, and it was also the most efficient to self inflate and easiest to deflate and pack up when it came time to break down camp. Editors loved the generous 78-by-52-inch sleeping area, which comfortably fit two adults and their six-year-old child. Rather than a plasticky or crinkly texture that you find on many other sleeping pads, the Roamer Double has a four-way-stretch polyester fabric and TPU topper that is soft against the skin, so you can do without a sheet and thrash all you want without waking your sleeping partner. Sufficient beauty rest is worth the $400 investment. Read more.

Best Action Camera

Insta360 Ace Pro 2

This time around, Insta360 podiumed higher than the reigning GoPro and DJI with its Ace Pro 2, co-engineered with Leica. Editors most loved the ultra high-resolution footage, rich 4K slow-mo, and high-quality audio of this action camera for skiing, cycling, overlanding, and more. A dedicated chip helps with low-light shooting, and a back screen flips up for selfie footage that doesn鈥檛 point straight up your nose. More experienced shooters will have an easier time dialing settings, but the camera鈥檚 interface is also pretty intuitive even for newbies. Read more.

Best Cooler

Yeti Roadie 32 Wheeled Cooler

Why carry your fully-loaded cooler when you can wheel it? With a telescoping handle and off-road wheels that easily navigate over rough terrain, the Roadie 32 won top marks as the most portable cooler of our test. And what鈥檚 more, it retained coolness far beyond our expectations. The taller height accommodated wine bottles alongside our snacks and cans, and the single drain plug made it easy to refresh ice and clean once we got back from adventuring. Read more.

Best Bike Rack

Kuat Piston Pro

Despite getting lighter and lighter, bikes are still awkward to load and unload. But the Kuat Piston Pro makes transitions from home to trail and back again simple with the press of a lever. The dual arm opens wide for fiddle-free loading, and the foot-operated tilt mechanism allows easy trunk access even when the tray is already weighed down. We love that this hitch frame secures both tires (accommodates a variety of sizes) and avoids frame contact. No scratches on the new build. Read more.

Best Outdoor Climbing Shoe

Scarpa Arpia V

With a subtle downturn and asymmetry, the Scarpa Arpia V hits a sweet spot for intermediate to advanced climbers pushing into 5.13. Its precise toe, comfy fit, and wide-foot-friendly last excel on everything from limestone to gneiss. Testers praised its edging, smearing, and all-day comfort. While durability dips after about 20 sessions, the shoe softens into a sensitive workhorse. It’s a solid pick for gym mileage, sport projecting, or multipitch days on mixed terrain.

More from the 2025 Summer Gear Guide

The Best Trailers and Campers
The Best Duffels, Backpacks, and Roller Bags
The Best Camp Chairs听

The post We Tested More Than 800 Pieces of Summer Gear. These 7 Are the Best. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Trails are portals to adventure, and good trail running shoes enable you to safely, confidently, and comfortably experience those trails, whether it鈥檚 a mellow, packed path or a rock-strewn mountainside. We鈥檙e constantly researching, testing, and comparing new releases with the tried-and-true. Our test team runs on rutty Santa Barbara bluffs, rocky Colorado peaks, sage-strewn Nebraska sandhills, and soggy Virginia forest pathways, to name a few terrains. After miles and miles (and miles) of trails, these are the shoes that have risen to the top.

Update June 2025: We鈥檝e tested and selected new models in four categories, including a new best max-cushioned shoe and a new best daily workhorse. We also added runner-up picks in the growing categories of trail running supershoes and road-to-trail. We are continually testing and will be updating this list of best trail running shoes throughout the year as new models impress our testers and editors.

At a Glance

• Best All-Around: Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide ($250)
• Runner-Up All-Around: La Sportiva Prodigio Pro ($195)
• Best Trail Super Shoe: Adidas Agravic Speed Ultra ($220)
• Runner-Up Trail Super Shoe: Puma Deviate Nitro Elite Trail ($230)
• Best for Ultrarunning: Hoka Tecton X 3 ($275)
• Best Daily Workhorse: Mount to Coast T1 ($180)
• Best Value: Saucony Peregrine 15 ($140)
• Best Zero Drop: Altra Lone Peak 9 ($140)
• Best for Speedy Scrambles: Merrell MTL Long Sky 2 Matryx ($112)
• Best for Soft Terrain: Scarpa Spin ST ($179)
• Best for Groomed Trails/Gravel: The North Face Vectiv Enduris 4 ($160)
• Best Road-to-Trail: Nike Pegasus Trail 5 ($140)
• Runner Up Road-to-Trail: Craft Nordlite Ultra 2.0 ($180)
• Best Max Cushioned: Nike Wildhorse 10 ($165)
• Best Natural Ride: Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4 ($150)
• Best for Beginner Trail Runners: New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9 ($155)
• How to Choose a Trail Running Shoe
• How We Test
• Meet Our Lead Testers

Best All-Around

Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide

Weight: 10.2 oz (unisex)
Stack Height: 41鈥�35 mm
Drop: 6 mm
Sizing: 4.5-13, 14 (men鈥檚), 5.5-14, 15 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Unmatched combo of comfort and trail performance
鈯� Quick-feeling for such a cushioned shoe
鈯� Outstanding grip
鈯� Quicklace system is difficult to adjust

Thick soles typically feel unstable on rocky, rooty trails, sloped surfaces, or sharp descents. But the Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide defies expectations, delivering a surprising blend of cushioning, stability, and responsiveness. 鈥淚’m always a little wary of big-stack trail shoes because some of them feel mushy and slow, or even worse, unstable,鈥� said one tester. 鈥淭hese were none of those. I felt like I nestled right into the soles and bounced right along.鈥�

Aesthetically, the S/Lab Ultra Glide looks like no other. The funky-looking wavy midsole with ankle-deep sidewalls combines a chassis of firmer EVA for stability with a softer, bouncier PEBA/EVA core underfoot. The outsole molds to the wavy midsole, creating circular indents across the bottom of the foot, designed to defuse impact. The combination works: the shoe delivered a soft, responsive, and adaptable ride that morphed over uneven terrain. On the open trail, the four-millimeter lugs proved reliable, biting into packed dirt and loose gravel with ease.

鈥淭he shoe provided a smooth, supported run on a variety of terrains,鈥� noted one tester, who was surprised that even when the footing got rocky, the S/Lab Ultra Glide 鈥渄elivered a commanding performance, allowing for precise, responsive running.鈥�

The soft but strong engineered mesh upper molded and moved with the contours of the foot, while providing a slight stretch for added toe box room. The gusseted tongue snugged our insteps nicely, but Salomon鈥檚 signature Quicklace system takes some adjusting each time you lace up to get the proper amount of pressure鈥攏ot a dealbreaker, but not quite an effortless 鈥渟et it and forget it鈥� experience.

Once dialed in, however, the fit and ride topped every shoe in this year鈥檚 test selection, making them the shoes we always seemed to reach for.

Runner-Up All-Around

La Sportiva Prodigio Pro

Weight: 8.9 oz, 7.9 oz
Stack height: 34鈥�28 mm
Drop: 6 mm
Sizes: 7.5-15.5 (men鈥檚), 5.5-11 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Lively midsole that still allows ground feel
鈯� Great traction
鈯� Some pressure on the top of the foot

The Prodigio Pro runs unlike any other La Sportiva shoe we鈥檝e ever tested. We鈥檝e enjoyed many from the brand, known for its nimble, rugged trail models. But this one is the softest to date and delivers a remarkably lively, fun ride. The midsole鈥攁 core of bouncy, nitrogen-infused TPU surrounded by a more stable, nitrogen-infused EVA cage鈥攆eels snappy underfoot. 鈥淵our foot just pops off the ground with each step,鈥� said one tester.

The bootie construction鈥攁 sock-like, engineered mesh upper encircling the ankle鈥攕uccessfully kept trail debris from sneaking inside the shoe. The durable upper, made from a mix of polyester, TPU, and nylon threads that the brand is calling 鈥淧ower Wire鈥� mesh worked in conjunction with the secure midfoot wrap to hold our feet securely and comfortably. One knock on the upper: The tongue, with an interesting, tubular padding, caused a little irritation on the top of the foot beneath the laces for some testers. Most, however, found it a comfortable upper overall, one that was a pleasure to pull on.

Underfoot, a Frixion outsole with multidirectional, four-millimeter lugs did a fantastic job at gripping all surfaces. 鈥淭his shoe has great traction in mud, slush, dirt, rocks, and roots,鈥� said one tester, who noted that the shoe performs expertly on off-camber terrain. 鈥淭his shoe makes me feel more nimble and quick than most shoes do.鈥�

Best Trail Super Shoe

Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra

Weight: 9.5 oz (men鈥檚), 8.1 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack Height: 38鈥�30 mm
Drop: 8 mm
Sizing: 6-13, 14 (men鈥檚), 5-11 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Fast, smooth, and lively ride
鈯� Adaptive stability
鈯� Not great in really rocky terrain

Every Agravic Speed Ultra tester was in awe of how easily faster paces felt while wearing this shoe. 鈥淚 consistently ran about 30 seconds per mile faster while running in these shoes than what the effort felt like,鈥� said a masters tester. Adidas designers skillfully adapted the elements of a road super shoe to create a similar, effort-reducing, propulsive feel in a shoe that works on the uncertain terrain of the trail.

Underfoot, the main ingredients are a bouncy-but-not-too-soft gas-infused TPEE-based midsole working harmoniously with an embedded, trail-specific 鈥減late.鈥� Instead of a solid, rigid plate, Adidas uses semi-flexible rods that react independently to variations in the terrain. Made of PEBA in its hard plastic form as often found in track spike plates, the four prongs in the forefoot and two in the heel are splayed wider and closer to the edges than those in Adidas鈥檚 road shoes, to enhance stability. One tester said the resulting ride 鈥減rovided a lively pop without being tippy on variable surfaces or prescribing a set, rigid roll.鈥�

Deep sculpted side walls surround a beveled heel, delivering smooth, secure landings, and a narrow midfoot waist widens to a generous, flared forefoot, providing an agile and stable stance. The aggressively rockered geometry from heel to toe delivers what one tester described as 鈥渁 balanced ride that makes it easy to stay forward on my feet and drive backward with each stride, creating a quick, powerful push-off.鈥�

For the outsole, Adidas uses the same trustworthy, grippy Continental rubber found on most of the brand鈥檚 running shoes. This trail-specific version features variable 2.5- to 3-millimeter lugs for surefooted, no-stress traction. As one might expect in a high-level racing shoe, the upper is kept to a minimum for weight reduction. Made with a non-stretch, breathable, quick-drying, woven material, we found it offered a secure, snug lockdown while providing a touch of abrasion protection.

Given the tall stack height, testers had to cautiously check their foot placements through technical rocky terrain. But wherever the terrain smoothed out and allowed for full strides, the Agravic Speed Ultra came alive and delivered a ride that testers said felt like flying. If you鈥檝e been holding out for a plated trail racing shoe that gets almost everything right, the wait is over.

Read our full review of the Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra.

Runner-Up Trail Super Shoe

Puma Deviate Nitro Elite Trail

Weight: 8.6 oz (men 9, women鈥檚 10.5)
Stack Height: 36鈥�30 mm
Drop: 6 mm
Sizing: 7-13, 14 (men鈥檚), 5.5-11 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Bouncy and responsive
鈯� Breathable, hydrophobic upper
鈯� Stable for a shoe this cushioned
鈯� Tight and narrow fit
鈯� Poor grip

Building off the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite, one of Puma鈥檚 top-selling racing shoes, the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite Trail successfully brings road super shoe tech to the dirt. 鈥淚t feels like a springboard. Super light and bouncy,鈥� said one tester.

According to Conor Cashin, a senior product line manager at Puma running, the shoe鈥檚 magic stems from a new nitrogen-infused midsole foam called Aliphatic TPU that provides a more responsive ride than even PEBA, the industry standard to date, 鈥淥verall, you get a more energetic and 鈥榝aster鈥� feeling in the Aliphatic TPU,鈥� claims Cashin. After runs in the shoe, one tester said: 鈥淭he foam feels like it is gathering energy as soon as my weight starts to compress it and then rebounds at just the right time and location.鈥�

Embedded in the energetic foam is a full-length carbon-composite fiber plate engineered to have more torsional flexibility for the trail. Cashin says the plate is designed 鈥渢o give you some stiffness in the shoe and some propulsion where you need it, but not going to hinder you or potentially make it more difficult to run on the trail with those different surfaces, roots, rocks, up and down.鈥�

Our testers confirmed the plate鈥檚 effectiveness. In tandem with the bouncy foam, it produced a 鈥渟uper lively, great ride with huge energy return,鈥� noted one tester. While the ride feels most efficient at higher speeds and cadences, testers reported that it works well at slower paces, too.

Despite a 36-millimeter heel, the Deviate Nitro Elite feels remarkably stable and runs more like a lower-profile shoe, thanks to the responsive foam (which keeps it from being squishy), the adaptable plate, the balanced, six-millimeter drop (two millimeters less than the Deviate Elite 3), and a slightly straighter shape than the road racer. All of which allowed the shoe to perform surprisingly well in moderately technical terrain.

The upper is constructed with an airy, durable weave featuring built-in reinforced strips for a vise-like hold. Every tester remarked on the snug, narrow fit, which most thought offered a precise sense of control and confidence while allowing enough room for comfort, especially in the toe box. One tester, who prefers wider-toe boxes, described the fit as akin to a track spike: 鈥渟kinny, tight, and compressed.鈥�

For the outsole, Puma uses its proprietary rubber compound paired with shallow 3-millimeter lugs, which testers found ideal for hard-packed, smooth trails. 鈥淥n dusty flats, they feel like rocket ships,鈥� said one California-based tester. But in mud, it鈥檚 a different story; they turn into what one called a 鈥淪lip-N-Slide.鈥�

While not suited for every runner or trail, the Deviate Nitro Elite Trail impressed all our testers for its fun, super-shoe ride, especially when ripping through flat, fast races up to 50K and speed-focused training runs.

Best for Ultrarunning

Hoka Tecton X 3

Weight: 10 oz (men鈥檚), 7.9 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack Height: 40鈥�35mm (men鈥檚); 39鈥�34mm (women鈥檚)
Drop: 5 mm
Sizes: Men鈥檚 7-14, Women鈥檚 5-11

Pros and Cons
鈯� Gaiter keeps out trail debris
鈯� Excellent balance of comfort and responsiveness
鈯� Doesn鈥檛 feel tippy, despite carbon fiber plates
鈯� Pricey

This third iteration of Hoka’s Tecton X is the best yet (and we鈥檝e loved them all, awarding the debut model Gear of the Year in 2022). Like the first two, the Tecton X 3 features two carbon fiber plates within each shoe that sit parallel to each other, allowing them to move independently. This enables the shoe to morph over rocks and roots instead of tipping the foot, a sensation we鈥檝e felt in some trail running shoes that utilize one large plate. The two plates in the Tecton X 3 are slightly wider than those in version 2 and feature a winged shape under the heel that鈥檚 meant to add to the shoe鈥檚 stability on technical terrain.

Other updates include a softer layer of PEBA foam above the plate and directly beneath the foot which testers reported enhances the joint-comforting cushion over long, rugged runs. The bottom layer of foam remains firmly responsive for a tactile ground feel.

And then there鈥檚 the unique upper. While some testers were skeptical of having a gaiter built into the shoe, it proved not only comfortable but also highly effective. A tester who worried the material around the ankle would annoy her reported, 鈥淭he gaiter is stretchy and adds to the overall comfort and techy feel.鈥� Every tester appreciated how the built-in gaiter kept debris out of the shoes with zero irritation or awkward clips. The Matryx upper, made of high-strength synthetic yarns, was stretchy enough for easy on-and-offs and to move with the foot, while also doing a great job holding feet in place over wild terrain. Its also highly breathable: 鈥淚 ran straight through a river, and the shoe dried out very quickly,鈥� said a Boulder, Colorado-based tester.

The entire package鈥攖wo layers of foam, four-millimeter Vibram Magagrip lugs, carbon-fiber plating, and a gaiter鈥攃omes in at minimal weight for such a rugged and feature-rich ride. 鈥淭his thing is light, especially for a trail shoe,鈥� marveled a female tester, adding, 鈥淚t鈥檚 absolutely speed-inspiring.鈥� The Tecton X 3 is our pick for ultra-runners and regular folks looking for a great shoe that can tackle the most mountainous terrain in comfort.

Best Daily Workhorse

Mount to Coast T1

Weight: 9 oz (men 9, women鈥檚 10.5)
Stack Height: 36鈥�32 mm
Drop: 4 mm
Sizing: 7-13 (men鈥檚), 5.5-11 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Lightweight and nimble ride
鈯� Custom-fit dual lacing system
鈯� No lace garage for lower pull cord

After successfully bursting onto the road shoe scene less than two years ago, the T1 is Mount to Coast鈥檚 first foray into trail running shoes. The T1 takes the brand鈥檚 standout features from its road lineup鈥攁 responsive, long-lasting midsole and an independently adjustable lacing system鈥攁nd tuned it for off-road performance.

Underfoot, the nitrogen-infused PEBA-based midsole offers a touch of bounce, enough to be responsive but not so much that it feels unstable or out of control on the trail. Despite a substantial 36-millimeter stack height at the heel, testers felt surprisingly connected to the ground, allowing for confident, nimble movement through uneven and unpredictable footing. The Litebase Vibram Megagrip outsole with four-millimeter lugs bit into a variety of surfaces, from loose gravel to slick rock, giving us a Velcro-like, confident grip. One tester reported, 鈥淚 absolutely battered it on technical terrain.鈥�

Unique to Mount to Coast is a dual pull-cord lacing system that lets you independently adjust the fit in the toe box and midfoot for customized lockdown and comfort. Initially, it took testers some jostling to fine-tune the fit of the two-part laces, but once dialed in it allowed a level of customization regular laces simply can’t match Complementing the fit from the innovative laces is the shoe’s well-crafted shape that follows the contours of the foot. 鈥淭he baseline chassis of the shoe is so well tailored that even a laceless shoe would perform well,鈥� one tester noted.

The only gripe? A lack of a lace garage to stash the excess cord from the lower half.

Best Value

Saucony Peregrine 15

Weight: 9.7 oz (men鈥檚), 8.6 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack height: 28鈥�24 mm
Drop: 4 mm
SIZES: 7-13, 14, 15 (men鈥檚); 5-12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Performance features at a reasonable price
鈯� Light, flexible, and nimble ride
鈯� Deep outsole lugs
鈯� Forefoot cushioning can feel slight on long runs

In an era that鈥檚 serving up increasingly fat midsoles, we鈥檙e happy to see that Saucony鈥檚 longtime performer remains relatively low to the ground, making it flexible and connected to the trail. It doesn鈥檛, however, run too firm. The reformulated EVA-based midsole with a premium, bouncy TPU-based insole feels soft underfoot and is plentiful enough to cushion the impact even on hard rocks and packed dirt.

The Peregrine 15鈥檚 outsole features aggressive, widely spaced, five-millimeter-deep, chevron-shaped lugs made of Saucony鈥檚 proprietary rubber compound. The bite gives the Peregrine secure traction on soft terrain, like loamy soil and fresh snow. Due to its low profile, secure-fitting upper, and light weight, the shoe also feels nimble on rocky, technical terrain. That upper is a simple, flexible-but-rugged mesh with a gusseted tongue and midfoot straps that tie into the laces, keeping the foot snugly in place.

鈥淭hese kept me stable while running on both singletrack and wider fireroad trails, and I felt fast because they鈥檙e so lightweight,鈥� said a tester. Another raved, 鈥淲ith the light and flexible feel of a toothy racing flat, the Peregrine always inspires me to pick up the pace and fly, but I never feel beat up in them no matter how far I go.鈥�

For a shoe that can tackle all sorts of off-road adventures comfortably and capably, $140 is a steal.

Best Zero Drop

Altra Lone Peak 9

Weight: 11.1 oz (men), 9.3 oz (women)
Stack Height: 25鈥�25 mm
Drop: 0 mm
Sizing: 7 – 13, 14, 15, 16 (men鈥檚), 5.5 – 12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Retains the best qualities of Lone Peak 8
鈯� Outstanding traction and grip
鈯� New protective toe bumper reduces flexibility in the toe box

鈥淚f it ain鈥檛 broke, don鈥檛 fix it鈥� has been Altra’s motto regarding their flagship trail shoe for years. The Lone Peak 9 stays true to its roots, maintaining the zero-drop platform, wide toe box, and reliable grip, with a few minor updates, including a re-engineered upper, improved outsole, and lighter midsole.

The midsole is still made of Altra EGO foam, but the compound has been reformulated to weigh less and have more resilient compression, so it should last longer. Testers found the changes minimal, with the shoe maintaining its signature flexibility and excellent ground feel.

The upper, which received the lion’s share of updates, features 100 percent recycled ripstop mesh with no-sew overlays. A new protective toe bumper wraps up and extends over the top of the toe box in the front and along the sides. One tester with toe arthritis dinged the new bumper for reducing the flexibility in the toe box, but no other tester noted a problem. One small but clever addition is an additional set of eyelets, spaced farther apart, that allows the option of creating a tighter midfoot hold for those with low-volume feet.

Underfoot, Altra continues to use their proprietary MaxTrac outsole with 3.5-millimeter lugs but increased the rubber coverage for this version. One tester who slogged through the wet, snowy Wisconsin winter described the outsole as 鈥渢op-notch.鈥� The heel rudder that extends out the back has been split, improving stability by reducing lateral torque. (Note, a version 9+ was recently released that is identical except for a Vibram Megagrip outsole and a new ripstop mesh).

Bottom line: If you鈥檙e a Lone Peak fan there鈥檚 nothing new here that will jeopardize that. Slight improvements sharpen the ride without altering the shoe鈥檚 core identity. 鈥淭he Lone Peak鈥檚 strengths haven’t changed for me,鈥� said one longtime Lone Peak fan.

Best For Speedy Scrambles

Merrell MTL Long Sky 2 Matryx

Weight: 8.3 oz (men鈥檚), 6.9 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack Height: 23.5鈥�19.5 mm
Drop: 4 mm
Sizing: 7-15 (men鈥檚), 5-11 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Lightweight, low-profile
鈯� Secure foothold
鈯� Nimble over rough terrain
鈯� Cushioning can feel slight under toes

If you鈥檙e in need of an amazingly agile shoe to scale mountain trails like a bighorn sheep, the Long Sky 2 Matryx is here for it. The new upper, made out of Matryx鈥攁 thin, breathable, quick-drying synthetic fabric reinforced with super-durable Kevlar threads鈥攕ecures the foot, with a half-booty tongue adding extra hold. Cutouts in the Vibram Megagrip outsole save weight between the tacky, grippy-rubber, five-millimeter lugs. The flexible, compression-molded EVA midsole is on the slight end, enabling confidence-inspiring proprioception and secure footplants on tricky terrain, and firm-but-adequate cushioning on hard-surface trails.

The upper and sole combination locks each stride to the ground. 鈥淚t is such a lightweight shoe, with great traction and fit, that moving your feet over terrain is easier than in a more bulky, highly-cushioned shoe,鈥� said Lousiville, Colorado-based tester Terri Kazanjian.

This was our go-to shoe for any fast-effort trail runs, or days we craved a highly nimble shoe that felt like an extension of our body. Kanzanjian summed up: 鈥淭his shoe makes you feel nimble and peppy on technical terrain, like you can run up those hills and bomb those descents faster than normal.鈥�

Best for Soft Terrain

Scarpa Spin ST

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Weight: 9.5 oz (men鈥檚), 7.9 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack Height: 22鈥�18 mm
Drop: 4 mm
Sizing: European sizing 40-48 (men鈥檚), 36-43 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Effective, toothy grip on soft surfaces
鈯� Low gaiter-link heel collar helps keep out debris
鈯� Harsh ride on hard-packed trails

The 鈥淪T鈥� in the name stands for 鈥淪oft Terrain,鈥� which is what this shoe is best suited for. Here鈥檚 the main reason why: 7 mm(!) lugs made out of Vibram Mega Grip rubber take hold in soft dirt, mud, and snow, offering secure footing on even the sloppiest surfaces. Complementing the toothiness is an impressively secure foothold from PU overlays that encase a stretchy mesh-paneled upper and pull securely around the foot when the laces are tightened. A tester with a bunion on one foot noted the shoe鈥檚 narrow and unstretchy toe box caused some irritation but raved about the shoe鈥檚 ability to grab hold in soft dirt.

We reached for this shoe often on snowy terrain鈥攅ither on trails or when snow turned neighborhood roads into trails. The high heel collar made out of a neoprene-like stretch woven textile, which keeps trail debris out of the shoe in summer, also does a good job keeping kicked-up snow from infiltrating socks. The upper isn鈥檛 Gore-Tex, however, and doesn鈥檛 try to keep water out. Instead, moisture flows both in and out, and we appreciated the breathability on all-season runs where high effort caused hot feet, and for wet conditions when we wanted drainage. A plus: a lace-locking device and hidden lace pocket both eliminates unwanted loosening and snagging on low branches and roots.

With slight EVA cushioning in the midsole (22 mm under the heel and 18 mm under the forefoot), this isn鈥檛 a shoe you鈥檇 want to wear running hard-packed trails or road sections. But for the soft terrain it was intended for, the underfoot feel was just right, making the Scarpa Spin ST excel at tearing up the trail.

Best For Groomed Trails/Gravel

The North Face Vectiv Enduris 4

Weight: 10.1 oz (men鈥檚), 9 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack height: 32鈥�26 mm
Drop: 6 mm
Sizes: 7-13, 14 (men鈥檚); 5-11 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Great balance of stable and cushy
鈯� Propulsive feel
鈯� Can feel tippy on technical terrain

The North Face Enduris 4 is a downright comfortable shoe with a performance ride. Upon step -in, our feet felt cradled, secure, and ready for anything. The shoe excelled on routes like the 5.25-mile dirt-road loop around the Boulder Reservoir that is mostly loose gravel with occasional rocks and ruts. On smoother terrain like that, the super-trainer combination of lively cushioning sandwiched around a full-length TPU plate with rockered geometry made us feel smooth and energetic. The shoe can also handle technical terrain, but the plate makes it feel a tad tippy.

The swallow-tail design鈥攖he sole flares out behind the heel with a notch in the middle鈥攕eemed to aid a heel-striking gait, cushioning landings and helping to roll feet forward rather than torquing them inward. Traction comes from four-millimeter multidirectional lugs which worked well on a variety of surfaces and didn鈥檛 feel too clunky on smooth terrain, although one tester noted, 鈥淢ud seemed to stick to the outsole and stay there.鈥� All testers found the seamless engineered mesh upper breathed great and kept feet in place.

Overall, we鈥檙e big fans of the updated Enduris 4 with more cush. 鈥淭he shoe actually felt lighter than expected and easy to run in for both road-to-trail routes and straight trail running,鈥� said one tester.

Best Road-To-Trail

Nike Pegasus Trail 5

Weight: 10.6 oz (men鈥檚), 8.6 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack Height: 37鈥�27.5 mm
Drop: 9.5 mm
Sizes: 6-15 (men鈥檚) 5-12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Transitions well from asphalt to dirt
鈯� Secure fit for off-road confidence
鈯� Good-looking enough for casual wear
鈯� Not as cushioned as some other road-to-trail shoes

The Nike Pegasus Trail 5 is for runners who value a shoe that can take them from home to the trail and back, running smoothly on pavement while offering traction and foothold on even the most technical off-road terrain. What puts this shoe above other road-to-trail options is its superior performance on uneven, rooty, and rocky terrain. Flywire technology (super-strong, thin, and lightweight thread) in the upper kept our feet from sloshing around inside the shoe and helped us maintain quick, secure foot plants. 鈥淚 felt confident in both the traction and how my feet remained in control on a burly trail with lots of rocks and ups and downs,鈥� said a Boulder, Colorado, tester.

The cushioning is updated in this version to Nike鈥檚 smoothly responsive ReactX foam, with a stack soft and thick enough to soften pavement impact, especially under the forefoot. The shoe runs smoothly on roads with its flexible forefoot and 3.5 mm lugs that are hardly noticeable. But when you reach dirt those lugs kick into action and deliver solid traction.

Tightly woven mesh around the toe box adds durability, while strategically placed holes around the midfoot allow breathability. The addition of a looped cord at the heel makes this shoe easy to pull on鈥攁 simple feature we appreciated every time we used it.

This shoe also looks fashionable enough to crossover to casual wear, adding to its versatility. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great shoe for travel that might include hiking, running, walking, and general adventuring,鈥� said our lead tester, who put it through its paces in Colorado and Costa Rica.

Runner Up Road-to-Trail

Craft Nordlite Ultra 2.0

Weight: 10.9 oz (men鈥檚); 8.9 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack height: 40鈥�34 mm
Drop: 6 mm
Sizes: 8-13 (men鈥檚); 6-10 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Ample, responsive cushioning
鈯� Solid traction
鈯� Foothold could be better

We loved the first version of the Nordlite Ultra for its ample and lively midsole, made of reusable materials turned into supercritical foam in a non-toxic process. This second iteration still boasts great cushioning that rivals straight-up road running shoes in shock absorption and rebound. In fact, the Nordlite Ultra 2.0 challenged the Nike Trail Pegasus 5 for the top spot in this category, thanks to that energetic ride. But while this second iteration of the Nordlite Ultra has been updated with a new, more secure-fitting upper, we still feel the lockdown is better on the Nike Trail Pegasus 5, which gives us better control on rugged terrain.

The Nordlite Ultra鈥檚 update did improve the fit, however. 鈥淚t鈥檚 snug and secure in the heel, and the tongue is form-fitting and comfortable,鈥� said a Virginia-based tester. 鈥淲hen I was on flat terrain and wearing zero-cushion socks, I felt very comfortable in the shoe.鈥� The secure heel hold gives way to a moderately snug midfoot. It opens up farther in the forefoot, offering wiggle room in the toe box. Cheers to Craft for using recyclable TPU on the upper, adding to the sustainable efforts of this shoe.

Off-road, the Nordlite Ultra 2.0鈥檚 traction proved capable on a range of surfaces, although the rubber is a tad noisy on pavement. 鈥淭he outsole is extremely grippy,鈥� said a tester, 鈥渨hich makes them fun on gravel and when accelerating. They also worked well on a dew-soaked wood boardwalk.鈥� On steep, technical trails and even smooth descents, our feet slipped inside the shoe a bit too much. Still, most road-to-trail routes only cover pavement to moderate trails and back, and these versatile shoes excelled at making both surfaces comfortable and fun.

Best Max-Cushioned Trail Shoe

Nike Wildhorse 10

Weight: 11 oz (men鈥檚); 8.6 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack height: 38鈥�28.5 mm (men鈥檚); 40.3鈥�30.8 mm (women鈥檚)
Drop: 9.5 mm
Sizes: 6-13, 14, 15 (men鈥檚); 5-12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� ReactX foam is lightweight and lively
鈯� Secure foothold
鈯� A tad heavy

The Nike Wildhorse 10 takes over top spot from the Brooks Caldera 8 (which we still really like) for its ability to cushion, protect, and provide a super-secure foothold that inspires confidence on even the wildest terrain.

鈥淟ove this shoe!鈥� exclaimed a tester based in Louisville, Colorado. 鈥淚t has fantastic cushioning, great tread, and it’s just all-around comfortable.鈥� She also noted that the cushioning placement of the Wildhorse 10 is unusually prominent on the perimeter. 鈥滻 noticed it more on the outer parts of my midfoot, which was new, but I really liked it.鈥�

We鈥檝e loved this shoe for everything from speedy, hilly dawn-patrols to all-day mountain epics. Its secure, comfortable engineered mesh upper moved with our feet more like a skin than a shell, which made us feel nimble over hill and dale (and river and rocky peak). And a protective midsole worked in conjunction with the Wildhorse鈥檚 full-ground-contact traction to make it a reliable go-anywhere partner. Traction comes from Nike Trail All Terrain Compound (ATC)鈥攁 rubber outsole that works well on steep ups and downs.

The Nike Wildhorse 10 is not the lightest shoe, but for all its cushioning, protection, and agility in rugged terrain, it鈥檚 a solid choice. (It may, however, be overkill for flat, smooth trails.)

Best Natural Ride

Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4

Weight: 10.4 oz (men鈥檚), 8.2 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack height: 35鈥�30 mm
Drop: 5 mm
Sizes: 7-13, 14, 15 (men鈥檚); 6.5-12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Instantly comfortable on a variety of feet
鈯� Highly cushioned while still allowing ground feel
鈯� Doesn鈥檛 grab loose dirt well

The Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4 fits like a classic Topo shoe鈥攁 secure heel hold gives way to a wide toe box allowing the foot to splay out naturally. Even narrow-footed testers noted the secure and comfortable hold of this shoe, and enjoyed the feeling of support under the arch, which seems to further promote a relaxed forefoot.

The Topo Ultraventure 4 has a relatively high stack height and an ample amount of lively cushioning, which testers particularly noticed and appreciated under the ball of the foot. But unlike its high-cush contemporaries, the slightly firm, responsive, flexible midsole allows great feel for the ground. We enjoyed the surefooted feeling of being connected to the trails instead of floating on top of them.

The upper鈥攁 recycled mesh with a polyurethane wrap around the front of the shoe for protection from toe stubs鈥攊s slightly stretchy and conforms around the foot. 鈥淭his felt like a slipper with traction,鈥� said one tester.

Underfoot, wide, flat, 3.5-millimeter-deep lugs made of Vibram rubber stuck to steep rock slabs on dry trail runs in Boulder, Colorado, and ran smoothly on packed dirt. We craved a little more toothiness on loose trails, but appreciated the versatility and overall natural feel of this shoe. 鈥淭he Ultraventure 4 felt better the longer I went and more tired I got, encouraging and supporting a soft midfoot landing and gentle roll that ate up the miles,鈥� said one tester.

Best For Beginner Trail Runners

New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9

Weight: 10.3 oz (men), 8.3 oz (women)
Stack Height: 42鈥�38 mm
Drop: 4 mm
Sizing: 7-13, 14, 15, 16, 17 (men鈥檚); 5-11, 12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Both well-cushioned and stable
鈯� Aggressive traction
鈯� Large lugs can feel rough on hard pack

If you鈥檙e just getting into trail running, you need a shoe that provides stability, grip, and comfort鈥攊n essence, one that makes you more confident on the trail. Testers all agreed the New Balance Hierro v9 fit that bill better than any other shoe we tested. In this version, New Balance used two layers of their EVA-based Fresh Foam X in the midsole鈥攁 softer layer closer to the foot for cushioned comfort sits on top of a firmer layer that enhances stability. One tester noted this midsole combo 鈥渁bsorbs shock well and returns energy efficiently.鈥� She also praised the shoe鈥檚 forefoot rocker profile, which 鈥渕akes for a smooth push-off and helps with your forward motion and efficiency.鈥�

Despite having four millimeters more cushioning under the heel (and eight more under the forefoot) than version 8, bringing the total stack to a whopping 42鈥�38 millimeters, we found the Hierro v9 shockingly stable as long as we steered clear of technical terrain鈥攚hich most beginners tend to do anyway. Grippy 4.5-millimeter lugs鈥攚hich one tester described as 鈥渧ery aggressive鈥濃�攊nstill confidence, particularly on loose dirt and gravelly trails. The downside is that those long lugs contributed to a rough ride on hard-packed dirt or road.

A tough-skinned mesh upper with a gusseted tongue felt supportive, yet provided enough comfort for all-day use. All in all, the combination of a thick stack of soft cushioning, grippy outsole, and comfortable and secure upper make this a standout choice for beginner trail runners eager to explore.

How to Choose a Trail Running Shoe

If you鈥檙e in the market for a trail running shoe, first consider the type of trails you run on regularly: do you tackle rugged, mountainous terrain, or stick to mellow dirt paths? Some trail shoes can handle both adequately, while others are specialized and excel in one or the other. Shoes with smaller lugs are generally better on smoother, firmer terrain, whereas shoes with deeper, more aggressive outsoles are optimized for steep, muddy, or rocky trails. If you like to feel the trail and dance around rocks and roots, you鈥檒l likely prefer a light, more minimal shoe, but if you鈥檇 rather let the shoe roll over trail variations, cushioning and protecting while you zone out, you should look for a shoe with a thicker midsole.

Once you鈥檝e narrowed the search to a certain type of trail shoe, you need to find a pair that complements your unique body and stride. Every runner鈥檚 body, gait, speed, experience, and ride preferences are different, so every runner will interact differently with each trail shoe. The shoe that your best friend or your sister-in-law loves may be uncomfortable for you and make running feel slow, sluggish, or even painful. Finding the perfect pair of trail running shoes is a seriously personal affair.

The process for choosing the best running shoes is a matter of finding the models that both fit your foot and also feel best when you鈥檙e running. To determine fit and feel, there鈥檚 no substitute for trying the shoes on and running in them.

Fit: Match Your Foot Shape

When assessing fit, first pay attention to length. You need room at the end of your toes as your feet lengthen during their dynamic movements on the run. A rule of thumb is to allow a thumb鈥檚 width between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. Runners often wear a running shoe a half or full size bigger than their street shoes.

Ensure that the shape of the sole and the upper matches your foot shape. The sole should be as wide or wider than your foot for the whole length, and match the curve of your arch comfortably. The shoe should hold your foot securely over the instep, while allowing the ball of the foot and the toes to splay and flex when you roll forward onto them. Your heel shouldn鈥檛 slip when you lift it, and the arch should be able to dome and lengthen naturally. Nothing should bind or rub as you roll through the stride.

Feel: Match Your Movement Path

If the shoe fits, it鈥檚 time to take them on a short run on a treadmill, around the store, or, ideally, down the block and back. Every running shoe has a unique ride created by the type and density of foam in the midsole and the geometry of that foam: its thickness, width, heel-to-toe drop, molded sidewalls or flares, and forefoot flexibility or rocker shape (plus, in an increasing number of models, the presence of and type of embedded plate). Each of these elements interact with each other and your stride to determine how the shoe reacts on landing, how much it cushions, how stably it supports, how smoothly it transitions from landing to toe off, and how quickly and powerfully it rebounds.

The best way to choose the shoes that complement your body and stride is to find the ones that feel right on the run. Benno Nigg, the world-leading biomechanics professor who , calls it the 鈥渃omfort filter,鈥� but makes clear it is far more than how plush the shoe feels when you step into it. What you want to assess is whether the shoe allows and supports the way your feet want to move, what Nigg calls your 鈥減referred movement path.鈥� In the right shoe, while running at your normal pace, you will touch down where you expect to land, roll smoothly and stably through the stride without noticing the shoe, feel both cushioned from and connected to the ground, and push off naturally, quickly, and powerfully. When this comes together you鈥檒l know that you鈥檝e found your pair.

It鈥檚 likely that several shoes will feel good on your feet. To find the most comfortable, it helps to compare them back to back, like an eye doctor will do with corrective lenses: flipping between 鈥淎鈥� or 鈥淏,鈥� 鈥�1鈥� or 鈥�2.鈥� You may also find that different shoes feel better at different paces or level of fatigue, and you may want more than one pair. In fact, research shows that wearing a variety of different shoes is one of the few to reduce injury risk as it appears to vary the stresses on your feet and joints.

What About Injury Prevention?

Running shoes have long been marketed and sold as prescriptive devices to help runners stay healthy, but there is correlating shoes, or any specific shoe properties鈥攍ike cushioning or pronation control鈥攚ith running injuries. Medical professionals say that it is highly difficult to determine whether a runner needs a certain type of shoe, and studies have shown that prescribing shoes using traditional methods like treadmill gait analyses or wet-foot arch height tests don鈥檛 consistently reduce injuries.

Don鈥檛 assume that you need more cushioning or more stability if you have sore joints, or if you鈥檙e a heavier runner, or if you鈥檙e a beginner鈥攅vidence doesn鈥檛 support many common beliefs. The best way prevent injury is find two or three different pairs that feel right on the run, ease into using them, and vary your shoes, your running surface and your pace regularly (plus avoid rapid increases in your training load and work on ).

How We Test

• Number of testers: 18
• Number of shoes tested: 108
• Number of miles: 22,000+ over a year
• Most Memorable Trail Run: Having a mild winter afternoon turn into a blizzard while three miles from home in the western Nebraska sandhills.

To test running shoes, we begin by researching every brand鈥檚 new offerings for the coming season. We wind up with dozens of samples of the models (84 throughout the year, 34 trail running shoes this season) that are most promising, and distribute them to 26 testers who range in age, ability, running form, geographical location, terrain, and preferred shoe types. We try to put each tester in shoes from within the same category (all rugged, backcountry trail shoes, or all road-to-trail crossovers) so everyone can test apples-to-apples.

After three to six months of running in each model on varied terrain and in all conditions, our crew members report back with their assessments of fit, comfort, traction, cushioning, flexibility, stiffness, pop, what type of running the model is best used for, how the shoe compares to other models, and more. We also run in every trail running shoe ourselves, and, combining all the tester feedback with years of personal experience, hone in on the best. We then weigh this season鈥檚 bests against the heroes from previous seasons that are still available and choose winners and honorable mentions for each category.

Meet Our Lead Testers

Lisa Jhung

Freelance journalist, editor, and author has researched, tested, and written about running shoes for the past decade and a half, much of that time for 国产吃瓜黑料. She coordinates a fleet of female shoe testers out of Boulder, Colorado, and says her home office is a perpetual obstacle course of cardboard boxes and piles of running shoes. Lisa鈥檚 written about gear of all kinds for numerous national magazines as both an editor and freelancer, including a stint as the shoes and gear blogger and trail running microsite editor for Runner鈥檚 World.

A high school jumper and occasional sprinter/hurdler, she started running鈥攔eally running鈥攁fter walking off the collegiate volleyball team, and moved on to road and trail races of any distance, triathlons, adventure races, and mountain running. She鈥檚 happiest testing rugged trail shoes on gnarly terrain, and also loves a good neighborhood jaunt鈥ut is almost always looking for ribbons of dirt. Lisa is the author of Running That Doesn鈥檛 Suck: How to Love Running (Even if You Think You Hate It) and Trailhead: The Dirt on All Things Trail Running.

Cory Smith

passion for running started over 30 years ago in high school when he became the number six ranked runner in the nation at 3000 meters his senior year. After high school, he competed at Villanova University, earning two NCAA Division I Championship showings. Today, he鈥檚 determined not to let age slow him down and competes on the national master鈥檚 circuit, running a 4:12 (4:30 mile pace) 1500 meters and 9:04 (4:52 mile pace) 3000 meters in 2021 at age 43. He prefers a hard track workout or tempo run over an easy long run any day but also appreciates a challenging trail or mountain run.

His obsession with running shoes started in 2014 when he wrote his first shoe review for Gear Institute. Since then, he鈥檚 tested and reviewed hundreds of running shoes, clothing, and gear for 国产吃瓜黑料, Runner鈥檚 World, Footwear News, and other outlets. He has a soft spot for speedy shoes over heavy trainers but loves dissecting all shoes equally and thinking like a product engineer to explain the why behind every design detail. Cory is the Founder of , an online running coaching business, and since its inception in 2014, has coached runners鈥� to over 100 Boston Marathon Qualifying times.

One of Cory Smith鈥檚 go-to routes for testing trail running shoes:

Jonathan Beverly

Jonathan fell in love with running his freshman year of high school and quickly became fascinated with finding the perfect pair of running shoes. That quest got a boost when he became editor of Running Times in 2000 and started receiving every new model as they were released. The parade of shoes continued while he served as shoe editor for Runner鈥檚 World, then editor of PodiumRunner, and currently fitness gear editor at 国产吃瓜黑料. Having now worn nearly every running shoe created in this century鈥攁nd a fair amount of those dating back to the early models of the 鈥�70s鈥攈e鈥檚 given up on finding the one best and now relishes the wide variety of excellent options.

Once a 2:46 marathoner regularly doing 50+ mile weeks, recent injuries and his age have reduced his volume and slowed his pace鈥攂ut he still enjoys an uptempo workout or two each week. Beverly is the author of the book which explores how each individual鈥檚 gait鈥攁nd thus shoe preference鈥攊s unique. He enjoys getting scientists鈥� take on new shoe trends and trying to describe the nuances of each shoe鈥檚 ride.

One of Jonathan Beverly鈥檚 go-to routes for testing trail running shoes:

The post The Best Trail Running Shoes for Every Terrain (Summer 2025) appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Shopping for a new road bike can be as fun as it is nerve-wracking. There are hundreds of options, from practical picks to WorldTour-level bikes ridden by the pros. The sheer number of builds, features, and specifications can confuse even the most avid riders.

Fortunately, we have a team of experts who spend their days obsessing over what exactly makes the best road bike for racing, recreation, and endurance. We tapped them to test this year鈥檚 crop of 42 bikes all over the world to help you make the right decision.

At a Glance

• Editors鈥� Choice:
• Best High-Performance Bike:
• Best Value:
• Best Under $2,000:
• Best Race Road Bike:
• Best Endurance Bike:
• How to Choose a Road Bike
• How We Test
• Meet the Testers

Editors鈥� Choice

Enve Melee

Test bike: Enve Melee SRAM Red AXS
Weight: 16.9 lbs (size 54 cm)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Room for 35 mm tires
鈯� Integrated front end is uncomplicated and modular
鈯� Broad range of drivetrain, fit, and paint options when new
鈯� Heavier than the lightest road bikes

With the Melee鈥擡nve鈥檚 first production bike that isn鈥檛 custom鈥攖he brand鈥檚 vision of what a modern road racer looks like is coming into its sharpest focus yet. It’s aerodynamically optimised, lightweight, and designed to go anywhere a modern road cyclist is likely to go. It even stood at the top of a gravel race podium shortly before release.

What makes the Enve Melee stand out is its ability to marry the best parts of a sharp-edged race road bike with the approachability of an endurance bike. Handling is responsive but not razor sharp, and its stiffness ensures it turns in with precision. Best of all, it places the rider in a slightly more upright position making for a more comfortable ride that鈥檚 still not sluggish.

At first glance, what stands out about the Enve Melee is its geometry. Enve dropped the top tube and narrowed it dramatically as it approaches the seat tube. Dropping the top tube might enact a small aero penalty, but it also exposes more seatpost for better compliance.

Consider the Melee a semi-custom bike. It starts with a base of seven frame sizes ranging from 47 to 60 centimeters. From there, riders can build the bike to their specifications, so long as they use a wireless SRAM or Campagnolo drivetrain, or a wired Shimano Di2 option.

We鈥檝e spent a lot of time on strictly aero bikes, and the Melee is a sharper tool than those bikes. It feels like a bike that’s ready to respond when you are. It practically begs you to sprint at every opportunity and it takes off at the slightest increase in power. And while its 16.9-pound ready-to-ride weight is a little heavier than you鈥檇 expect, the added weight isn鈥檛 noticeable鈥攖his bike feels fast.

Best High-End Performance Bike

Factor Ostro VAM

Test bike: Factor Ostro VAM Dura-Ace Di2
Weight: 15.2 pounds (size 52 cm)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Top-tier finishing kit
鈯� Razor-sharp handling
鈯� Broad range of drivetrain, fit, and paint options
鈯� Creaky headset

The latest high-end road bikes just look fast. This Factor Ostro VAM is no exception, particularly in the Gloss Chrome colorway we tested. The marbled look of the carbon fiber pops under direct sunlight, while the holographic logos stand out against the otherwise black canvas.

But what makes this bike actually fast is its focus on aerodynamic efficiency in the design, from the narrow profile to the tightly-angled seat stay junction (a design inspired by 1930s Spitfire planes).

Watch: Longterm Review of Factor Ostro VAM

The Factor Ostro VAM feels alive from the first pedal stroke. The low weight of the wheels (1,270 grams, according to Factor) is immediately noticeable, and it allows the bike to get up to speed impressively quick. The bike is also stiff (particularly at the front), making it predictable and easy to manage despite its racy build. That combination of low weight and great lateral stiffness makes the bike feel like a climbing bike.

Another thing we like about the Ostro VAM is the customization options. It comes in a slew of complete builds or as a frame set, but you can also customize seat post setback, stem lengths, and bar widths at every level. Only a select few brands offer that ability at no extra cost. Heck, you can even customize the paint job if you鈥檙e willing to shell out extra.

We had few complaints about this bike, just a minor annoyance: The headset was prone to creaking after getting caught in the rain, even when we were diligent about wiping down the bike after a wet ride. We learned to keep the area between the frame and bearing greased, an example of the type of regular maintenance a bike like the Ostro VAM requires to keep it riding smoothly.

There鈥檚 no getting around the cost of the Factor Ostro VAM, but the experience feels properly premium to match. The Ostro VAM is one of the sharpest-handling race bikes out there, one that feels as fast on the flats as any race bike we鈥檝e ever ridden.

Best Value

Polygon Strattos S ACX

Test bike: Polygon Strattos S8X Ultegra Di2
Weight: 18 lbs (size XS)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Incredible value for money
鈯� Well-mannered handling
鈯� Looks good
鈯� Not an endurance bike as described
鈯� Handlebar is subpar

Good road bikes are expensive鈥攖oo expensive for many just getting into road cycling. The Polygon Strattos S8X is a refreshing anomaly. Not only does this bike come with a carbon frame, fork, and wheels, it also sports a Shimano Ultegra Di2 drivetrain鈥攁ll at a price that鈥檚 two to three times lower than similar bikes.

With a full carbon frame, mostly internal cable routing, hints of aero tubing, and the clean pearlescent paint scheme, the Strattos S8X looks like a more expensive road bike. The Shimano Ultegra Di2 drivetrain and carbon wheels found on this Strattos S8X are wholly convincing, too. Take a look at the frame as well and you鈥檒l find more boxes ticked.

There鈥檚 a Token headset that routes its hoses externally under its stem before routing into the headset upper. The seat post wedge for the 27.2-millimeter round seat post is tucked away into the seat tube cluster. That鈥檚 paired with a press-fit bottom PF86 bottom bracket and standard thru-axles, to boot. Even the handlebars are fairly traditional, making this bike relatively friendly to home mechanics.

Our biggest criticism of the Strattos S8X is that it鈥檚 not an endurance bike as Polygon advertises. The geometry is tilted towards those who prefer riding in a more aggressive position. Handling is responsive like a race road bike, and its comfort both at the handlebars and at the saddle is far from smooth, thanks partially to a frame that seems focused on speed rather than soaking up any bumps.

We also took issue with the handlebar from Polygon鈥檚 house-brand, Entity. There鈥檚 nothing wrong with a simple alloy handlebar, but we could not find a position for the bar that worked well. Mercifully, the partially external cable routing means any 31.8 millimeter drop bar can be swapped in without needing expensive labor from cutting and rerouting hoses.

But for this price, it鈥檚 easy to overlook those issues. When you consider that most other bikes at this price point lack electronic shifting and carbon wheels鈥攎uch less Shimano Ultegra Di2鈥攖he Strattos S8X feels like a steal.

Best Budget Road Bike Under $2,000

Canyon Endurace

Test bike: Canyon Endurace 6 RAW
Weight: 21.3 pounds (size M)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Same fit and handling characteristics of more expensive models
鈯� Reliable components
鈯� Heavy

We鈥檙e big fans of the Canyon Endurace platform because it鈥檚 an affordable, performance-forward option for burgeoning cyclists.

It comes in four tiers: three carbon fiber models, and an aluminum frame that serves as the entry to the lineup. All share the same geometry that mimic the polished handling and comfortable, upright fit of far pricier bikes. While the Endurace doesn鈥檛 come with some features you鈥檒l find on top-tier bikes, it nails the fundamentals.

That includes the Shimano Tiagra 10-speed drivetrain with hydraulic disc brakes, offering both greater stopping power and braking control compared to the cheaper mechanical disc brakes regularly found at this price point. The DT Swiss wheels, Schwalbe 30 millimeter road tires, and the Selle Italia saddle are high-quality and built to last. All this makes the Endurace 6 durable, frill-free, and ready to ride.

Unlike a lot of bikes at this price point, there鈥檚 a sense of verve to how it accelerates as you stand up on the pedals. Linewise, there is some polish in how the bike smooths out much of the ruts, cuts, and cracks in the road. This is far from the smoothest road bike on the road, but for a bike in this price range, the Endurace 6 Raw offers impressive performance.

There鈥檚 no getting around the direct-to-consumer nature of Canyon, which makes it much tougher to go to your local bike shop for support. Canyon has made some progress here, however, partnering with REI as well as select bike shops to facilitate warranties. This bike isn鈥檛 perfect, but it鈥檚 a solid option under $2,000.

Best Race Road Bike

Specialized Tarmac SL8

Test bike: Specialized Tarmac SL8 Dura-Ace Di2
Weight: 14.72 lbs (size 52 cm)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Lightweight
鈯� Stiffness is confidence-inspiring
鈯� 10R carbon frame is good value
鈯� Top-tier models are expensive
鈯� Not as lively as we鈥檇 like

There鈥檚 no denying that there鈥檚 a lot of hype surrounding the Tarmac SL8 race bike 鈥攜ou鈥檙e just as likely to see it at the group ride as on your favorite influencer鈥檚 Instagram account鈥攁nd we鈥檙e here to report that the hype is real.

The eighth generation of Specialized鈥檚 Tarmac comes with the claims of being lighter, smoother, and stiffer. After testing, we found these claims to be true. The Specialized Tarmac SL8 handles like a Tarmac SL7. That鈥檚 no bad thing鈥擲pecialized nailed the Tarmac geometry ages ago. There are perhaps edgier race road bikes out there, but the Tarmac feels familiar at the first pedal stroke. Its low weight makes it feel eager up punchy climbs, and the frame鈥檚 stiffness provides direct, confidence-inspiring steering. It feels reassuringly sturdy out of the saddle, and stout when pulling on the bars in a sprint. Push the bike around, and it鈥檒l take it.

The Tarmac is perhaps not quite as joyful to ride as something like a Specialized Aethos or an OPEN MIND, bikes that stand out for their springy, lively feel; but the Tarmac sure is speedy, and that鈥檚 the goal.

Specialized offers the Tarmac SL8 in an ultra-lux S-Works model (with their lightest-weight 12R carbon frame) and a range of build kits using a less expensive 10R carbon frame. Both are available in myriad drivetrain configurations from SRAM and Shimano and a range of colorways that invoked jealous commentary from cycling friends during testing. While our test bike was a top-spec S-Works model鈥攚hich nets a top-tier drivetrain and wheels alongside their best frameset鈥攖he standard Tarmac frames are still among the lightest road bike frames available.

All of this comes at a price鈥�$14,000, to be exact鈥攚hich is the biggest drawback to the new Tarmac. But you don鈥檛 have to shell out for the top-tier offering鈥攊n fact, we recommend models with the less-costly 10R carbon frame, as it offers the same stiffness, compliance, and ride quality as the ultra-luxe S-Works. Those start at $7,000 and still net you a race-ready bike with electronic shifting.

Best Endurance Bike

BMC Roadmachine 01

Test bike: BMC Roadmachine 01 TWO
Weight: 16.3 lbs (7.4 kg)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Excellent spec
鈯� Balanced ride quality
鈯� Handy downtube storage
鈯� Premium pricing across all models

What makes a great endurance road bike? Look no further than the BMC Roadmachine, a bike with an entire lineup from top to bottom that not only feels approachable for cyclists both new and old, but is also a bike that can grow to meet its riders鈥� needs.

The BMC Roadmachine nails the endurance bike design prompt with its fit geometry. It鈥檚 not quite as back-breaking as the race road bikes in this guide, but it also doesn鈥檛 position the rider as upright as some other endurance bikes. In terms of handling, the bike feels settled in a straight line while going fast, even over the choppy tarmac that tends to accompany our favorite road rides. This makes it a great option for riders who want to ride long distances on the road without sacrificing comfort.

Best of all, the Roadmachine looks every bit as speedy as the rest of BMC鈥檚 speed-focused lineup. The dropped seatstays鈥攁 hallmark of BMC鈥檚 endurance lineup鈥攁dd compliance for a smoother experience without dulling road feedback. And while the top-end bikes feature sleek, fully internal cable routing through the stem, the more entry-level models include external brake hose routing that makes the bike easier to maintain and travel with. Regardless of which model you choose, all Roadmachine bikes share the same geometry, the same basic frame design, and a helpful downtube storage hatch for tools and snacks.

We tested the , which is effectively the cream of BMC鈥檚 crop (with a price of $12,999 to match). But the inherent goodness of the Roadmachine means riders will find a similarly premium experience across the lineup. For riders who want a high-performance endurance bike that doesn鈥檛 compromise on speed, comfort, or aesthetics, this machine stands out as one of the best in its class.

How to Choose a Road Bike

What is the difference between a road bike and a gravel bike?

A road bike is designed first and foremost to be ridden on harder surfaces. That generally means roads and bike paths, but chip-sealed, cracked, and pothole-littered roads can be ridden in a pinch on a road bike, too.

A road bike will typically offer a lightweight frame, wheels, and components to match. Almost every road bike these days features a drop handlebar that curls from the top down, as it offers the rider several hand positions while riding. The tires are almost always narrow, typically ranging from 25 millimeters to 38 millimeters, and have essentially zero tread on them in the name of more efficient riding.

Road bikes don鈥檛 come with suspension, but they don鈥檛 need it for performance on pavement鈥攎odern road bikes are smoother and more comfortable to ride than ever. You鈥檙e likely not going to find suspension or even wider tires on a road bike, as that鈥檚 the territory of a gravel bike.

A gravel bike, which is designed for riding on dirt and gravel roads first, will prioritize grip and comfort for the seat and handlebars. It will do so at the expense of weight and speed on smooth roads and tarmac. Be sure to see our Best Gravel Bikes of 2024 guide for more information.

If you know you want to ride mostly on-road, and you don鈥檛 intend to carry any extra gear, then a road bike is the right choice. Choose the gravel bike if you know you want to ride predominantly gravel and dirt paths, or if you鈥檙e uncertain exactly where your riding will take you.

What type of road bike do I need?

There are two broad categories of road bikes: race road bikes and endurance road bikes. Each of those has subcategories that can quickly become confusing.

The type of road bike that is best for the majority of riders is an endurance road bike, occasionally called an all-road bike. An endurance road bike emphasizes comfort and approachable handling. They鈥檙e typically easier to manage as the speeds increase and offer up to 38 millimeters of tire clearance to smooth your ride. Further, they鈥檙e more likely to have mounts for fenders, racks, or even additional water bottle cages. All-road bikes offer as much as 40 millimeters of tire clearance but retain handling characteristics optimized for riding on roads.

The flashiest road bikes are typically race bikes. They鈥檙e more likely to place the rider in a lower, more aerodynamic body position that emphasizes speed over comfort. The frames are lighter and offer stiffer riding to help you go faster. Further, the handling is typically more responsive, sometimes bordering on twitchy. Race road bikes typically feature 25 to 28-millimeter-wide tires, and ditch any feature that doesn鈥檛 make the bike easier to ride quickly.

Not all race bikes are the same, however. Some are aero road bikes, which have deeper tubes and rims that prioritize aerodynamics and out-and-out speed. Others are called climbing bikes, which prioritize low weight and stiffness at the expense of aero efficiency.

How much do I need to spend on a road bike?

Most of the bikes we鈥檝e tested qualify as high-end bikes, which can cost as much as a used car. However, there are some fantastic road bikes at a more affordable price point. Budgeting to buy a road bike isn鈥檛 just buying the frame. Getting the most out of your road bike requires having the right accessories. At a minimum, you鈥檒l need a quality set of bike lights and a well-fitting helmet in the name of safety. Further, you鈥檒l need to budget for a decent set of pedals, and matching shoes if you want to use clip-in style pedals rather than a more accessible flat pedal.

At the entry-level, one can expect to pay anything between $1,000 to $2,000, depending on what features the bike offers. Clothing, including a jersey, shorts, a helmet, and clip-in shoes can cost anything from $150 to $300. Those accessories we mentioned? Expect to pay $100 to 150 at a minimum, and more depending on your specific needs.

How do I choose the right size road bike?

Road bikes come in a range of sizes to fit riders of all heights. This size range is usually expressed in centimeters, though sometimes you鈥檒l find an XS to XL range.

To figure out the correct size for you, go for a test ride. That means standing over the top tube of the bike (sometimes referred to as a crossbar) to see whether you can comfortably stand with both feet flat on the ground. The top tube can touch you, but the bike is a better fit if it doesn鈥檛.

The right-size road bike will place your arms at roughly a 90-degree angle from your torso without feeling uncomfortable. Your knees will have a slight bend in them at the bottom of your pedal stroke. Most importantly, the bike will feel comfortable to maneuver around.

Of course, the best course of action is to go to a trusted bike shop to have a bike properly sized and fit. Having another set of eyes to help you find the correct size bike will ensure your money is well-spent. They鈥檒l help you determine the right bike for you based on your riding experience, mobility, and needs, and they鈥檒l help you determine proper sizing for features like handlebars, saddles, and even your frame.

How We Test

• Number of Testers: 5
• Number of Bikes Tested: 42
• Longest Test Ride: 142 miles

Five dedicated riders from around the world put 42 bikes through their paces on varied terrain and across hundreds of collective miles鈥攆rom west Texas to Steamboat Springs, Colorado to Glasgow, Scotland. The road bikes we tested鈥攔anging from entry-level to ProTour worthy鈥攚ere chosen to encapsulate the best range of bikes on the market today. Yes, we tested road bikes from all the major road bike brands, but we also tested the small brands to cover all bases.

Our test rides included local loops, big days out, group rides, and everything in between. After each ride, we asked each reviewer to judge a bike on the following criteria: Who is it best suited for, and what type of riding was it designed for? What were its strengths, what were its weaknesses, and was there anything that made it stand out above the competition? Every reviewer not only took the time to ride each bike to assess its performance but also built them out of the box and maintained them through weeks of testing to learn more about their ins and outs.

Meet the Testers

Alvin Holbrook

Alvin Holbrook is a tech editor for Velo. He鈥檚 been in the bike industry for almost a decade and covers road, gravel, and e-bikes. When he鈥檚 not geeking out over bike gear, he uses his background in urban planning to cover stories about active transportation, policy, tech, and infrastructure through the series. He lives in San Antonio, Texas with his wife and an ever-growing stable of bikes and kitchen utensils.

Josh Ross

Josh Ross is a senior tech editor for Velo. He hails from the Pacific Northwest, but when it鈥檚 time to ride, hot and dry is better than cold and wet. He will happily talk for hours about the minutiae of cycling tech but understands most people just want things to work. He is a road cyclist at heart and doesn鈥檛 care much if those roads are paved, dirt, or digital. Although he rarely races, if you ask him to ride from sunrise to sunset, and beyond, the answer is always 鈥測es.鈥�

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The post The 6 Best Road Bikes of 2025 appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

The running world鈥檚 brief, passionate affair with the minimalist movement may have burnt out more than a decade ago, but minimalist running shoes are alive and well鈥攁nd experts agree there are good reasons you should own a pair.

At a Glance

• Why Wear Minimalist Shoes?
• What Is a Minimalist Shoe?
• Maximizing Your Minimalist Experience
• Meet Our Lead Tester

Minimalist shoe reviews, sorted from thinnest sole to thickest:

• Vivobarefoot Primus Lite Knit ($175)
• Merrell Vapor Glove 6 and Glove 6 BOA ($100-120)
• Vivobarefoot Primus Trail III All Weather FG ($175)
• Vibram Five Fingers V-Run ($160)
• Xero Shoes HFS II ($120)
• Merrell Trail Glove 7 ($120)
• Topo ST-5 ($120)
• Xero Shoes Scrambler Low EV ($150)
• Altra Superior 7 ($120)
• Altra Escalante 4 ($130)

Why Wear Minimalist Running Shoes?

Many sports med professionals continue to tout the benefits of minimalist footwear today, long after the fad faded. 鈥淓ven in a world dominated by maximalist footwear, I often recommend minimalist shoes鈥攅specially for casual wear, walking, and as part of a running shoe rotation,鈥� says sports podiatrist Rob Conenello. Conenello points out how the shoes encourage foot muscle engagement and better proprioception鈥攖he foot鈥檚 ability to sense and interact with the ground鈥攁nd, he says, 鈥淎 stronger foot leads to a more efficient and injury-resistant athlete.鈥�

Fellow sports podiatrist Paul Langer agrees, 鈥淭he health benefits are supported by more and more every year. I recommend minimalist shoes for almost all my patients because they have potential benefits that include improving foot strength and mobility, decreasing the risk of falling, and reducing foot pain.鈥�

Jay Dicharry, physical therapist and biomechanics researcher, says every runner should have a minimalist model as . 鈥淧utting less between you and the ground means the shoe鈥檚 cushion and geometry can鈥檛 do the work for you,鈥� Dicharry explains. 鈥淪pending time walking, and yes, some running, in minimal shoes will load your foot and lower leg a lot more. This increased load cues your body to build stronger bones, muscles, tendons, and durability in your feet. And a direct connection between your feet and the ground does wonders for your nervous system, your sense of stability, and can help filter out some imbalances in your stride.鈥�

What Is a Minimalist Running Shoe?

If you鈥檙e ready to follow this advice, you first need to know what makes a shoe minimalist. Minimalist running shoes are born from the assumption that the best, most natural running is done barefoot. Your feet should be free to be feet: complex constructions of arches, cables, and levers that react and adapt instantly to cushion, stabilize and propel. Given that most people today didn鈥檛 grow up going bare in all conditions, and thus didn鈥檛 develop the calloused soles necessary to tread safely and comfortably on all but the softest terrains, most minimalists concede that some sort of shoes are a necessary evil. But, to maintain natural proprioception and muscle activation, and encourage efficient posture and gait patterns, they believe shoes should stay as close to bare as possible.

What makes a shoe minimalist is a matter of debate, but in 2015, agreed on a formal definition: 鈥淔ootwear providing minimal interference with the natural movement of the foot due to its high flexibility, low heel to toe drop, weight and stack height, and the absence of motion control and stability devices.鈥� That definition provided parameters to determine how minimal any particular pair is, but left open to interpretation the exact line where a shoe becomes too high, too stiff, or too controlling to be considered minimalist. If you choose to go more minimal, it is up to you to decide which characteristics are most important and how low you want to go.

Maximizing Your Minimalist Experience

Put on a pair of minimalist shoes and you instantly feel light, nimble, and alive. Head out the door and you dance along, feeling a new, intimate, interactive connection with the earth beneath your feet鈥攗ntil you tire and start clomping along with no cushioning underfoot and return home to find your calves and achilles screaming. Most runners need to transition to minimal footwear very gradually, building up miles in them as slowly as they first added running miles when a beginner, or using them only occasionally as training devices.

鈥淏y removing the artificial cushioning and support, the feet are forced to do more work,鈥� Langer explains. 鈥淭his increased workload, if done gradually, will increase the foot鈥檚 capacity to support the body by strengthening muscles and ligaments and other connective tissue and allowing the joints to move in a broader range of motion. If not done gradually, people often get injured with metatarsal stress fractures, plantar fasciitis calf strains or Achilles tendinitis.鈥�

Whether or not you adopt minimal footwear all the time, using them sparingly is worthwhile to improve your posture and stride, as well as foot strength鈥攑articularly if combined with exercises to . And nearly everybody can use minimal shoes for walking and daily wear, which experts agree can be as valuable for improving your biomechanics as running in them.

Meet Our Lead Tester

Jonathan Beverly, Senior Running Editor, Gear

I fell in love with running my freshman year in high school in 1977, and quickly became fascinated with finding the perfect pair of running shoes. That quest got a boost when I became editor of Running Times in 2000 and started receiving every new model as they were released. I embraced the minimalist movement in the early 2010鈥檚, running thousands of miles鈥攊ncluding road and trail races鈥攊n barely-there shoes which reconnected me with my body and the earth, rejuvenating my running. But after suffering a metatarsal stress fracture and seeing others get injured in minimalist footwear, I dug into the contradictory studies on shoes and running form and talked to dozens of experts鈥攆rom scientists to medical professionals to coaches鈥攖rying to determine common ground. That research turned into a book, , which explores how to counteract the forces of a modern sedentary lifestyle and restore natural posture and movement so you can run more effectively (in any footwear).

Today, I wear every type of running shoe as a tester, but retain a preference for more minimal models, which I wear exclusively when not running. During this testing, however, I found that my adaptation to running in ultra-thin shoes had waned and my experience in them seemed typical for runners who have some experience with light, low models but are mostly accustomed to today鈥檚 high, soft shoes.

For this review, I ran in each model several times over three months, on different terrains and at a variety of paces, from jogs to sprint intervals. I also rotated them as my exclusive walking and casual shoes throughout the test period, including hikes up to 10 miles. Here are my picks for the best minimalist shoes for running today, ranging from nearly-bare to lightly-cushioned models.

Vivobarefoot Primus Lite Knit

Weight: 8.7 oz (men’s)/ 6.5 oz (women’s)
Sole Thickness: 6 mm (includes removable 2 mm insole)

From the first step in the Vivobarefoot Primus Lite Knit I felt a sense of freedom and connection, like being barefoot but with a tough, protective skin removing fear of sharp things underfoot. The sole is the thinnest of the shoes I tested if you remove the insole (tied with the Merrell Vapor Glove 6 with the insole), and flexes without resistance in all directions. The thin, knit upper, made with recycled plastics, is equally flexible, and, although the shoe鈥檚 width is voluminous, holds the rearfoot securely thanks to a stretchy, booty-like upper with overlay straps hugging the instep, plus a softly molded heel cup that snugs with light padding.

I wore these mostly casually, the ground feel always surprising me for the first few steps and quickly cueing my feet to engage and posture to straighten up. Runs in them were short, quick bursts, relishing the feeling of power transferring through my feet but being careful not to tire and start clunking. After, my feet always felt like I had done a “foot day” strength workout, that pleasant soreness that says they are alive.

One note: the size was so big the fabric bunched up between the eyelets. While I didn鈥檛 slide around in the shoe, a half size smaller than my usual running shoe would have fit better without interfering with toe space.

Merrell Vapor Glove 6 and Glove 6 BOA

Weight: 5.6 oz (men’s) / 4.6 oz (women’s) 鈥� BOA 6.7 oz (men’s) / 5.5 oz (women’s)
Sole Thickness: 6 mm

As the lightest, airiest, and tied-for-thinnest-soled shoe in the test, I could almost forget I had the Merrell Vapor Glove 6 on, except when I didn鈥檛 have to tread gingerly over iffy surfaces and gripped the trail better than when barefoot. I loved the breathable, slipper-like upper that has surprisingly plush padding in the ankle collar and the gusseted tongue, and the thin Vibram outsole, with 2.5-millimeter-deep, squiggly-line lugs. And I loved how the two worked together to move invisibly with my foot while providing robust protection, without trying to control or dulling my proprioception.

The Vapor Glove 6 is too minimal for me to do much running in these days (except for short hill sprints during walks), but when I wore them casually I could feel my feet activating and strengthening, and my balance improving. The laced version was stylish enough to wear extensively at work and around town, and I reached often for the BOA version鈥攚hich makes cinching and adjusting tension as easy as turning a dial鈥攚hile gardening and on long, dirt-road walks with my dogs.

Vivobarefoot Primus Trail III All Weather FG

Weight: 11.1 oz (men’s) / 7.8 oz (women’s)
Sole Thickness: 7.5 mm (includes removable 2 mm insole)

Every time I pulled on these all-weather, trail-ready Vivobarefoots and snugged the fit with the simple and effective pull-cord lace, my feet felt alive and ready to dance. The 7.5-millimeter-thick sole鈥攊ncluding 2.5鈥搈illimeter-deep, 鈥渇irm-ground鈥� lugs鈥攁dded just enough underfoot to make me feel confident running in them鈥攂ut in a specific, limited context. Having noted that my cadence has been slowing while wearing cushioned shoes, I decided these shoes, with barefoot-like ground feel but solid underfoot protection and grip, were the perfect tool in which to restore my springs. My weekly routine has become this: I sprint up a dirt road with quick, powerful strides, until I start to tire and my turn-over slows, then I鈥檒l walk until I鈥檓 ready to do another high-cadence 200 to 300 meters, repeating until I鈥檝e gone 1.5 to 2 miles. My foot and lower leg muscles are inevitably sore the next day, but I can already feel a renewed quickness and bounciness to my stride.

The firm sole, which wraps up around the edges in wavy sidewalls, flexes with ease, enabling full range of motion and terrain-adaptable landings and push-offs. Up top, the rugged, water-resistant fabric (95% RPET, 5% Spandex) flexes in the right places and secures the midfoot with a sturdy TPU saddle overlay, while the wide forefoot doesn鈥檛 interfere with splay, even wearing . The weight of the sole and protective upper make this shoe as or more suitable for hiking as for running鈥擨 comfortably did several 1鈥�2 hour hikes in them and they felt durable enough to hold up to whatever terrain I took them on.

Note: the fit runs large, I had to get a pair a half size smaller than my usual running shoe size.

Vibram Five Fingers V-Run

Weight: 4.8 oz (men’s) / 3.9 oz (women’s)
Sole Thickness: 8.5 mm (includes non-removable insole)

Running in Five Fingers is a familiar sensation for those who lived through and embraced the minimalist movement: a feeling of running barefoot as a child, free, alive and in touch with the earth. The design delivers unsurpassed toe splay, enforced by the separate toe pockets, and a close-to-the-ground, near-barefoot ride. I put in many miles in Five Fingers in the early 2010s on terrain ranging from asphalt streets to gravel backroads to jungle mud, and always felt like my body was waking up and paying attention. I also got injured going too long, too hard, too soon. This time I used them for shorter runs a couple of times per week, and loved the reconnection with the earth, always ending up doing some fast, nimble pickups or hill sprints.

The V Run is lighter than the original, while more supportive. The weight reduction comes mostly from the thin, perforated upper, that is more breathable but less soft than the original knit, and the removal of much of the outsole rubber. The pads that remain are attached to a four-millimeter-thick sculpted EVA midsole that adds some support as well as padding. I found the V-Run felt protective and fast, stiffening my foot lever a bit, but it also felt slightly more removed from the ground, somewhat stiffer, and less comfortable than the original.

Xero Shoes HFS II

Weight: 8.3 oz (men’s), 6.7 oz (women’s)
Sole Thickness: 12.5 mm (includes removable 3.5 mm insole)

The Xero HFS II鈥檚 sole is thin, unscultped (no hint of arch support), zero-drop, and entirely flexible, but has just enough underfoot padding (12.5 millimeters between foot and ground) to make it far more accessible to the majority of runners than a non-cushioned barefoot shoe. The first time I took them out I intended to mix walking with short run bursts, but found myself padding comfortably along and ended up running continuously for three miles on sidewalks, with a couple of grassy hill sprints thrown in. The next day I could feel the foot and calf muscles that got extra work, but they weren鈥檛 sore enough to warrant scaling down my planned run. I wore the HFS II as my only casual shoe for a week, which included walking two miles on city streets daily, and felt more comfortable and energetic than when wearing highly cushioned shoes.

Credit the thin layer of firmly responsive EVA for easing the transition. It contours and protects the bony protrusions underfoot but doesn鈥檛 sink and dull my proprioception of the ground, cueing my muscles to react and engage and my stride to get lighter and more balanced. For those wanting more underfoot feel, the 3.5 millimeter insole can be removed, leaving a smoothly finished interior with just fabric covering the midsole. The shape is wide and roomy from heel to toe, but holds the rear- and mid-foot securely with a well-padded collar and strategic straps that loop into the laces and wrap the instep. The chevron outsole lugs are flat-topped and thickly spaced enough to roll smoothly over roads but deep enough to grip on dirt: I ended up running mostly on gravel, which the shoe felt best suited for. My only beef was that the barrel laces felt clumsy when tightening the shoe and came untied easily.

Merrell Trail Glove 7

Weight: 8.5 oz (men’s) / 6.0 oz (women’s)
Thickness: 14 mm (includes non-removable insole)

The Trail Glove 7 crosses over the line from what I would consider barefoot shoes to minimalist running shoes. While still zero-drop, flexible, and not overly cushioned (11.5 millimeters of Merrell鈥檚 proprietary, firm-and-responsive FloatPro foam), they didn鈥檛 make my feet work as much as more minimal models, making it easy to put in more trail miles in them right off the bat鈥攂ut producing less of a training effect. I appreciated the grip from the 2.5-millimeter-deep, 30-percent recycled, Vibram-rubber lugs, and the support where the outsole wraps up in high sidewalls on both sides of the arch and over the heel and toe. The fit lives up to its glove-like name with a flexible mesh upper that wraps securely over the gusseted tongue, and a slightly narrower shape than other minimalist models.

Although agile on the run, I didn鈥檛 run in these very often after an initial week of testing over a variety of distances and paces, given that they offer neither the strong foot-strengthening stimulus of barefoot models nor the underfoot cushion of slightly thicker shoes. Their easy-going comfort, however, made them a frequent choice for casual wear and long walks that bordered on hikes, where their middle-of-the-road cushioning and solid stability proved just right.

Topo ST-5

Weight: 6.6 oz (men’s) / 5.3 oz (women’s)
Sole Thickness: 14 mm (includes removable insole)

The Topo ST-5 is the shoe I take on a trip to wear all day, every day, and know I will be comfortable and light-footed whether I鈥檓 walking for miles on concrete sidewalks, standing for hours at an expo, doing strength and plyometric work, or running short distances. The soft, flexible upper hugs my foot from heel to ball like a second skin, while the toe box is roomy and airy, with plenty of space for splay, even wearing . Underfoot, 14 millimeters (two millimeters less than the ST-4) of firmly bouncy Zipfoam allows me to feel and interact with the ground without getting bruised by it, and flexes easily in all directions, letting my arch and toes move freely.

Clean styling and subdued colors (I have both a black and a grey pair) let me wear the ST-5 anywhere from a run to a restaurant without feeling out of place. I reached for this shoe more often than any other shoe in the test because it disappears (from sight and feel) and lets me move nimbly and naturally without thinking about my feet or ending the day beat up.

Xero Shoes Scrambler Low EV

Weight: 9.2 oz (men’s) / 7.4 oz (women’s)
Sole Thickness: 15 mm (includes removable 3.5 mm insole)

The first thing that stands out about the Scrambler Low EV is how rugged it is: from the full-coverage, wide-lugged, Michelin tire rubber sole to the robust, abrasion resistant upper, this shoe it is built to last鈥擷ero is so confident it guarantees the sole for 5,000 miles. Fifteen millimeters of rubber and responsive foam lie between foot and ground, offering ample protection for your foot during those miles. Compared to other Xeros, the Scrambler Low EV sacrifices some softness and flexibility for that protection and durability. It maintains Xero鈥檚 effective midfoot straps that loop into the laces and snug the instep, but in terms of fit and flexibility, it feels more like a light hiking shoe than a speedy trail slipper (like the still-available Mesa Trail II that I love for its soft, foot-wrapping fit).

Given its ruggedness, hiking is where I ended up appreciating the Scrambler most, where it gave me confidence that it could stand up to whatever I stepped on or brushed against, and allowed stable and secure footplants on any terrain. For running, I found it felt more agile with the 3.5 millimeter insole removed, which improved the flexibility and ground proprioception while maintaining the shoe鈥檚 protection and sure-footed grip.

Altra Superior 7

Weight: 9.3 oz (men’s) / 7.7 oz (women’s)
Sole Thickness: 21 mm (includes removable insole)

Full disclosure, I鈥檝e been an unapologetic fan-boy of the Superior since it came out鈥攖he flexible, balanced ride makes me feel like a wild animal gliding over the earth, and the thin sole provides enough padding that I can run in them daily as long as I stay tall and land lightly. I took the Superior 7 out in western Nebraska鈥檚 sandhills and Utah鈥檚 rocky Wasatch Mountains, and found it as nimble as ever, equally capable on both terrains.

Underfoot, the 21 millimeter sole without a rock plate softens landings but still lets me feel the ground enough to dance agilely over uneven and unpredictable terrain, adapting to each varied footplant. It doesn鈥檛, however, morph and swallow rocks like a thicker shoe, thus requires foot and ankle strength to adapt and support on rough trails鈥擨 could feel the strain after longer outings, and noted my strength and reactive skills improving over time. On softer terrain, the low, widely spaced lugs dig in and grip but don鈥檛 get bogged down.

The redesigned upper is easy to cinch down for a secure fit, while, as expected from Altra, allowing plenty of room for splay. The mesh forefoot is flexible and breathable, while TPU overlays around the toe and saddle enhanced the durability and hold, although seeming a bit plasticky (until dirt build-up took the shine off).

Altra Escalante 4

Weight: 9.5 oz (men’s)/ 7.5 oz (women’s)
Sole Thickness: 24 mm (includes removable insole)

The Escalante is foot-shaped and zero-drop, but doesn鈥檛 count as a true minimalist running shoe to purists as it has 24 millimeters of cushy, bouncy foam reducing the flexibility, ground feel, and foot activation and strengthening. Compared to most of today鈥檚 shoes, however, I found the thin sole provided plenty of proprioception, enhanced by Altra鈥檚 proprietary AltraEGO foam that firms up quickly on compression with a lively bounce-back. The lightly structured, engineered knit upper coddled my feet without cramping them or controlling their movement.

I found myself running tall and striding quickly in these, and was able to go as long as I wanted without feeling post-run foot and calf soreness. For many runners, the Escalante makes an effective to run in a few times a week to vary the stress, strengthen the feet, and cue different movement patterns鈥攚ithout getting so beat up they have to reduce mileage.

For other minimalist options, also look into:

And for an even more minimalist feel, consider sandals from:

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Gravel bikes have changed considerably over the past couple decades. While some modern gravel bikes are essentially road bikes with more tire clearance, others are optimized for bikepacking with lots of gear. Because there are so many options, finding the right gravel bike can be a challenge. So we put in hundreds of miles of testing to bring you the top tier of gravel bikes available right now. The list below is the result of testing bikes from the most popular bike brands down to the small builders.

Our top pick, the Specialized Crux DSW, impressed us with its uniqueness and personality. For an aluminum bike, it offers impressive versatility鈥攊t moves effortlessly from gravel to singletrack to dirt to road and everywhere in between. Our other picks include a budget-friendly option for those just getting into gravel riding, a high-performance bike, and a versatile all-rounder.

At a Glance

• Editors鈥� Choice:
• Best Under $2,000:
• Best Performance:
• Best Quiver Killer:
• How to Choose a Gravel Bike
• How We Test
• Meet the Testers

Editors鈥� Choice

Specialized Crux DSW

Test Bike: Specialized Crux DSW Comp
Weight: 20.2 lbs/9.2 kg

Pros and Cons
鈯� Same geometry as pricier carbon Crux
鈯� Simple to work on as a home mechanic
鈯� Available in both frameset and complete bike options
鈯� Expensive for an aluminum bike

Aluminum gravel bikes have a rap for being entry-level models, but that鈥檚 not the case with the Specialized Crux DSW, a premium gravel bike that happens to have an alloy frame.

Specialized purports its new Crux DSW gravel bike is the lightest aluminum gravel bike frame ever made. That鈥檚 a heady claim, but at 1,399 grams for a 56 centimeter frame, the Crux weighs just about one pound (or approx. 400 g) more than most traditional carbon gravel bikes Better still, the Crux DSW shares its geometry, tire clearances, and overall look with the more premium carbon fiber Crux.

As with the carbon fiber Crux, the Crux DSW is a relatively simple bike compared to the competition. There is no internal cable routing that makes swapping handlebars and stems more expensive. Further, the standard-fitment seat post is easy to replace and upgrade down the line, making this bike a comparative breeze to maintain for the home mechanic. And for the hands-on among us, the Crux DSW is available as a frameset you can build up to your specs, just like the carbon Crux.

Like the carbon Crux, there鈥檚 hardly anything proprietary going on in the DSW. There鈥檚 no internal cable routing at the handlebars; rather, brake hoses and shift cables are routed through the down tube and seat stays to accommodate both mechanical and electronic shifting. There鈥檚 a round, 27.2-millimeter diameter seat post with a standard seat post clamp. A BSA-threaded bottom bracket complements the rest of the system.

It鈥檚 a quick-handling bike that feels similar to the carbon version, taking just a touch more work to keep going in a straight line than a more traditional gravel bike. It doesn鈥檛 feel quite as settled on gravel roads when compared to something like an aluminum Canyon Grizl, which we attribute largely to geometry that is equally suited to riding comfortably on the road as it is on smooth to moderate gravel roads. At the same time, however, that geometry means the bike feels spry in tight singletrack, with a front wheel that doesn鈥檛 wander too much through ruts and roots.

Yes, the Specialized Crux DSW costs more than other aluminum gravel bikes, but there鈥檚 a sense of personality and polish across the bike that comes with the higher price point. You feel every bit of the bike buzzing along on dirt roads, eager to get you moving faster. We also found ourselves pushing the bike more than we do some other bikes, not only because we felt comfortable in its handling, but because at $2,699, we didn鈥檛 feel like we had to baby it like the top-of-the-line models in the Crux lineup.

Best Under $2,000

Canyon Grizl

Test Bike: Canyon Grizl 6 RAW
Weight: 24 lbs/10.89 kg

Pros and Cons
鈯� Same confidence-inspiring handling of more expensive Grizl models
鈯� Loads of tire clearance
鈯� Excellent build specs for the price point
鈯� Feels heavy on the uphills

Folks may have their reservations about Canyon Bicycles, but there鈥檚 no denying the value for money the German bike brand offers on its bikes, particularly at the entry level. If you鈥檙e just getting into gravel cycling, or you鈥檙e looking for a reliable yet reasonably-priced gravel bike with big tire clearance, the Canyon Grizl 6 RAW is a smart pick.

The Canyon Grizl 6 RAW is built around an aluminum frame with carbon fork, offering a modern, adventure-ready gravel geometry that鈥檚 meant to feel stable and planted on everything from fast dirt roads to technical singletrack. It rolls on 45-millimeter Schwalbe G-One Bite tires mounted to DT Swiss C 1850 wheels, and the frame has clearance for tires up to 50 millimeters wide, making it a strong option for riders heading off the beaten path.

The Shimano GRX 400 2×10 drivetrain brings reliable performance and a wide gear range, ideal for long days and mixed-surface adventures. Canyon includes plenty of practical touches too, including mounts for racks, fenders, and top tube bags, as well as triple mounts on the fork legs.

At 24 pounds, it鈥檚 a fair bit heavier than the other bikes on this list. You feel every bit of that extra weight on climbs, and the bike doesn鈥檛 have the snappiest feel under acceleration. On the flipside, it鈥檚 surprisingly confident on descents and performs well on rugged routes, especially for a bike at this price.

Whether you鈥檙e bikepacking, gravel commuting, or just getting into dirt for the first time, the Canyon Grizl 6 RAW is a solidly spec鈥檇 option that鈥檚 tough to beat without spending quite a bit more.

Best Performance Gravel Bike

Cervelo Aspero

Test Bike: Cervelo Aspero Rival XPLR AXS 1
Weight: 18.5 lbs/8.39 kg

Pros and Cons
鈯� Quick handling without feeling nervous
鈯� Snappy feel when sprinting
鈯� Solid components package
鈯� More comfortable ride than before
鈯� No fender mounts

While the new, second-generation Aspero looks a whole lot like the first-generation, trust us: the updates make the Aspero a far better gravel bike than before.

The most obvious change is that the cables and hoses are tucked away and routed through the headset. While internally routed hoses and cables can be hard to access and maintain, this system is fairly user-friendly since the cables run externally from the handlebar and under the stem before entering the bike. The new Aspero also uses a threaded bottom bracket and the new SRAM Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH) that standardizes derailleur hanger replacements, two additional updates that make home maintenance a little easier.

Watch: 5 Things You Need to Know About the Cervelo Aspero

The previous-generation Aspero reminded you at every moment that it wanted to go fast with its stiff, unforgiving ride. This new Aspero soaks up the bumps from gravel far better than the previous bike, allowing riders to stay seated without being jostled off their saddles. Add in the well-rounded build package of the Aspero Rival XPLR AXS bike we tested, and this latest iteration is a wholly improved bike that is much more approachable for the average rider.

If there鈥檚 any glaring weakness to the Aspero, it鈥檚 the 700c x 44 millimeter tire clearance. That鈥檚 less than most other gravel bikes on the market these days. In our testing, however, we found that a 47鈥搈illimeter tire fit without an issue. Given that this is a speedy performance gravel bike that鈥檚 not designed for mountain bike trails, it was easy to forgive this shortcoming.

If you鈥檙e looking for a performance-oriented gravel bike and your gravel roads are more smooth dirt, not singletrack, then the Cervelo Aspero is a good pick.

Best Quiver Killer

Pivot Vault

Test Bike: Pivot Vault Team Force XPLR AXS w/ Carbon Wheels
Weight: 18.3 lbs/8.3 kg

Pros and Cons
鈯� Stable, comfortable ride
鈯� More configurable than almost any other gravel bike on the market
鈯� Odd frame and component sizing

The recently updated Pivot Vault gravel bike is boring on paper, but we loved it nonetheless. The new Vault moves away from being as race-focused as its predecessor and towards being a gravel bike for everyone.

Its new-found versatility is what makes the updated Vault stand out. For those who want adventure, you鈥檒l find room for up to 700 x 50 millimeter tires and a suspension-corrected fork. Riders can choose to build their Vault with cables fully hidden for a clean look, or run cables externally to make the bike easier to repair and maintain.

Even on the size small, there鈥檚 room for four bottles, with three in the main triangle plus one on the downtube; there鈥檚 a bento box, as well as a downtube storage hatch to store snacks and tools. Add in the new SRAM Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH) that standardizes derailleur hanger replacements as well as fender mounts, and the new Pivot Vault is ready for anything

The geometry is upright with a long wheelbase and a stable feel. The combination of having plenty of exposed seatpost, and whatever magic is in the layup really sucks the bumps up. The Vault only comes with 40-millimeter tires, but it feels like there must be more rubber down below, and, at a bit over 18 pounds, it climbs just fine.

Our only beef with the bike is the odd frame and component sizing. This means you鈥檒l likely need to spend a bit more time and money to swap out the stem and handlebars to ensure the bike fits you before your first ride. Do a bit of work to make sure the bike fits you comfortably, however, and you鈥檒l find a bike that can do just about anything you鈥檇 ever want to with a gravel bike.

How to Choose a Gravel Bike

What Is a Gravel Bike?

A gravel bike is designed first and foremost to be at its best when riding on a variety of surfaces. That doesn鈥檛 just mean gravel, but dirt roads and pavement as well. A large percentage of gravel bike riders will take their bikes on singletrack which might be better suited to a mountain bike as well. In short, a gravel bike needs to be a lot of things to a lot of people.

Sure, a gravel bike might look a whole lot like a road bike, as they both have drop bars and relatively compact frames. But a gravel bike will have a gravel tire, typically ranging from 38 millimeters all the way up to 50, with some gravel bikes going even wider than that. Gravel tires vary in tread, though most gravel bikes will have some sort of tread on them in an effort to balance rolling resistance and grip in loose conditions. An increasing number of gravel bikes come with damping or suspension. Most of the time, that comes from an extra flexy seat post or handlebar, but some gravel bikes feature a suspension fork to add traction, grip, and comfort too.

Finding the right gravel bike for you can be a challenge with so many varieties. Here are our tips to ensure you find the right bike.

What Should I Look For on a Gravel Bike?

A gravel bike isn鈥檛 just a road bike with wider tires. The geometry is quite a bit different, favoring straight-line stability through the bumpy surfaces of dirt and gravel roads. Rider positioning is going to be more upright as well. The result is a bike that can roll through just about anything you may encounter on a road.

Gravel bikes typically have a number of mounts. Two water bottle cage mounts are certain, with a third at the bottom of the bike nearly guaranteed. Most gravel bikes will have a pair of mounts for a top tube bag to carry snacks on rides. Many will have fender mounts, while other will have rack mounts to carry gear.

Most gravel bikes will feature a shorter stem and wider drop handlebars that flare out. Further, most gravel bikes will come with a 1x drivetrain. A 1x drivetrain has a single chainring up front and a wide-range cassette out back. This ensures riders are quickly able to find the right gear simply by hitting the upshift or downshift levers.

The latest gravel bikes have started to split into two categories: performance gravel bikes and adventure gravel bikes. Performance gravel bikes ditch most of the rack and pack mounts, shed weight, and tend to have quick er handling. 国产吃瓜黑料 gravel bikes double down on bike packing, with more mounts, wider tires, a more stable ride, and a focus on durability.

What Exactly Do I Need to Budget For?

Most of the bikes we鈥檝e tested qualify as high-end bikes, costing as much as a decent used car. However, the trickle-down effect is very real, and so there are some fantastic gravel bike values at a more affordable price point. Knowing what you can spend will give you a great idea of what鈥檚 available to you on the market today.

Buying a gravel bike isn鈥檛 just buying a bike鈥攜ou also need the right accessories. At a minimum, you鈥檒l need a quality set of bike lights and a well-fitting helmet in the name of safety. Further, you鈥檒l need to budget for a decent set of pedals, and matching shoes if you want to use clip-in style pedals rather than a more accessible flat pedal.

The clothes themselves also make a difference. and a jersey can make your ride that much more comfortable if you decide to wear them. And that鈥檚 just the tip of the iceberg: repair kits, maintenance items, and more are worth budgeting for.

How Do I Choose The Right Size of Gravel Bike?

Your typical gravel bike will come in a range of sizes to fit riders of all heights. Most new gravel bikes will come with a size range to help you figure out what size of bike you need. This size range is usually expressed in centimeters, though some brands use a XS to XL.

Once you figure out what size of gravel bike you need (we recommend going to your local bike shop鈥攎ore on that below), you鈥檒l want to give the bike a test ride. That means standing over the top tube of the bike (sometimes referred to as a crossbar) comfortably with both feet flat on the ground. The top tube can touch you, but it鈥檚 better if it doesn鈥檛.

The right size of gravel bike will place your torso and arms at roughly a 90-degree angle from your torso without feeling uncomfortable. Your knees will have a slight bend to them at the bottom of your pedal stroke. Most importantly, the bike will feel comfortable to maneuver around.

Of course, all of this advice is only amplified by going to a trusted bike shop. Having another set of eyes to help you find the correct size bike will ensure your money is well-spent. They鈥檒l help you determine the right bike for you based on your riding experience, flexibility, and needs, and they鈥檒l help you determine proper sizing for things like handlebars, saddles, and even your frame.

How We Test

• Number of Testers: 5
• Number of Products Tested: 33
• Longest Testing Bike Ride: 280 miles (450 km)

These gravel bikes鈥攔anging from entry-level to top-spec bikes with weights matching high-end road bikes鈥攚ere chosen to be a well-rounded preview of the best bikes on the market today. Sure, we tested gravel bikes from all of the major bike brands, but we also made sure to test the small brands as well.

Our reviews were performed all over the world by five dedicated testers, with a vast majority of those miles on roads and trails we know best, from Dallas to Patagonia to Arizona. Riding across such varied terrain by riders of different skill levels and needs means we鈥檙e well-suited to understanding what parts of a gravel bike can frustrate, what makes a bike good, and what makes a bike truly stand above the competition.

Testing includes riding local loops, big days out, group rides, and everything in between. It means living with them day-to-day, maintaining them, and building them to learn more about their ins and outs.

Meet the Testers

Alvin Holbrook

Alvin Holbrook is a tech editor for Velo. He covers road, gravel, and e-bikes after nearly a decade in the bike industry. In addition, he uses his background in urban planning to cover stories about active transportation, policy, tech, and infrastructure through the series. He currently lives in San Antonio, Texas with his wife and an ever-growing stable of bikes and kitchen utensils.

Josh Ross

Josh Ross is a senior tech editor for Velo. He hails from the Pacific Northwest, but when it鈥檚 time to ride, hot and dry is better than cold and wet. He will happily talk for hours about the minutiae of cycling tech but understands most people just want things to work. He is a road cyclist at heart and doesn鈥檛 care much if those roads are paved, dirt, or digital. Although he rarely races, if you ask him to ride from sunrise to sunset, and beyond, the answer is always 鈥測es.鈥�

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